The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a 148-mile-long strip of land across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. It was established in 1953 following a brutal Civil War, post-World War II when the Japanese Empire dissolved and withdrew the Peninsular.  The North surrendered to Soviet troops and the South to the US, resulting in the conflict being fought as a proxy way between North and South Korea by Russia and Allied Troops.

Although an armistice agreement ended active fighting, a peace treaty could not be agreed, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war.

Visiting the DMZ is a deeply moving experience that offers a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions between the North and South. The area is heavily fortified, with barbed wire fences, watchtowers, and armed guards, yet it also has an eerie calmness. Large sections have returned to a natural state, home to various wildlife.

Tourists can visit key sites such as the Joint Security Area (JSA) in Panmunjom, just outside Seoul, where North and South Korean soldiers stand face-to-face, separated by a thin line. This is one of the few places to step into North Korea within the blue conference buildings straddling the border. The Dora Observatory, another highlight, allows visitors to peer into North Korea through telescopes, offering views of the propaganda village of Kijŏng-dong and beyond.

Head northwest of Seoul to the Eulji Observatory for a less crowded experience. Here, you can see The Fourth Tunnel, dug beneath the DMZ by the North Korean Army, where it is possible to trek in the mountains.

Visiting the DMZ is a powerful experience, combining history, geopolitics, and a glimpse into one of the world's most secretive countries.