Private DMZ Tour Meet a North Korean Defector

Imjingak is a peace park located in Paju, South Korea, and serves as a symbol of the division between North and South Korea. Built in 1972, it provides comfort to those who left their loved ones behind in North Korea during the war and expresses hope for peace and reunification. The site features the Peace Park with art and exhibits, the Freedom Bridge where prisoner-of-war exchanges once took place, and a historic steam locomotive from the Korean War. Your guide offers insights into Korea’s divided history, helping you understand the current status quo in the country. Imjingak is also a starting point for trips to the DMZ. Overall, it is a meaningful place to learn about Korea’s history and the ongoing need for peace and reunification.

[Optional] Since 2002, Paju City has operated a 3-hour DMZ tour by shuttle bus, visiting two main sites. First, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, discovered in 1978, is a large underground passage built by North Korea for military purposes. You can walk through about 1 km to see how it was made for a possible invasion. It’s one of four tunnels and a symbol of military tension. The second site is Dora Observatory, where you can see North Korea’s landscape, military facilities, and villages through binoculars, sometimes spotting soldiers and activities. A knowledgeable tour guide will provide additional explanations throughout the visit. It offers a meaningful opportunity for you to understand the Korean divide and the importance of peace.

[Optional] If you find the busy, 3-hour shuttle bus tour or the underground tunnel visit uncomfortable—perhaps because it is crowded, dim, damp, or may affect your breathing health—then we recommend trying the Paju DMZ Cable Car. By riding the cable car, you'll get a rare experience of entering a military-secured zone. Although you cannot see North Korean territory directly from the cable car, later at Odu Mountain Observatory, you will have a clear view of a North Korean village across the river. On a good day, you can see children playing near their school or villagers riding bicycles, making you feel almost there. This area is open to civilians without a permit, but it is also protected by the South Korean Army’s 9th Division. You may often meet soldiers and even take memorable photos with them.

At the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, you will have a special opportunity to meet North Korean defectors. The Korean War is still ongoing, and North and South Korea continue to see and teach it very differently. Many defectors feel shocked when they first learn about the war in South Korea, because their views and experiences are completely different from what they learned in North Korea. We encourage you to ask them directly about how their understanding of the war differs and how they risked their lives to escape North Korea. Listening to their vivid stories is a rare and meaningful chance to see a side of history that you won’t find in movies. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear their personal experiences firsthand.