Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Meet the photographer documenting life on the
Korean Peninsula's DMZ
After the deadliest three-year war, which
killed millions of soldiers and civilians, a 250-kilometer-long,
four-kilometer-wide restricted area was established in 1953 between North Korea
and South Korea. It still is the most heavily guarded border in the world as
the two Korean states are technically still at war. Even though South Korean
side of the guard post is visited by over a million civilians annually, inside
the militarized zone is almost free from human interference or interaction, save
occasional defectors from the north. Sure enough, anyone who attempts to go across
the DMZ, where estimated over two million landmines are laid, will be shot from
the back.
Because of the very little human interference,
Korean Demilitarized Zone is now the most heavily protected sanctuary for numerous
wildlife species. For example, thousands of White-naped and red-crowned cranes rest
at a reservoir and fly over the Hantan River, where other wild birds like eagles, swans, and ducks are also around to find food.
Indeed, peace is preserved in this sanctuary as
armed soldiers from both sides are there 24-7 to prevent any humans to enter.
Enjoy reading the articles and watch the
videos and photos to learn about this 66-year-old demilitarized zone.
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