Cheolwon County Excursion
Located about two and a half hours by bus from Seoul, Cheolwon County is located slightly above the 38th parallel, close to the most heavily fortified border in the world today, that between North and South Korea. In this region we can witness the sometimes chilling evidence of the continuing inter-Korean conflict, but also the more pleasant, quiet and unspoiled environment of northernmost South Korea.
First on the list of sights is the old city of Cheolwon, which was leveled during the Korean War. Here we can see the partial remnants of a building attesting to the grim realities of war. Also along the way is the Goseokjeong. This pavilion is said to have been used in the Jeoson period as a den for men who, banned from becoming government officials because of their low-class status, engaged in banditry.
After our checkpoint clearance, we will be able to visit a number of sites evocative of Korean War memories. We will visit the North Korean 2nd Infiltration Tunnel, which was discovered in March 1975 in the Central Sector of the DMZ, about 13 kilometers north of Cheolwon. Measuring two meters high and 2.1-2.2 meters wide, the arch-shaped tunnel is large enough to move heavy weapons such as tanks, field artillery, and armored personnel carriers. More than 30,000 troops could move, three to four abreast (a division in strength), per hour. Bored through 3.5 kilometers of bedrock at a depth of 50-160 meters below ground, the 2nd tunnel extends 1.1 kilometers south of the Military Demarcation Line to a point 101 kilometers from Seoul. A spacious troop assembly area was carved out inside the tunnel, which has three exits.
Nextstop will be an observation point from which the ultra-secretive North Korea can be viewed, at least as far as the eye can see. At this point, we should also be able to watch flocks of Manchurian cranes and other birds that migrate to this area at this time of the year. Above all, bring binoculars if you have them. Nearby is Weoljeong-ri Railroad Station, the disused last stop on the line that once ran from the South into what is now North Korea. Here the bombed remains of a train last used sixty years ago stand as a symbol of the broken state of inter-Korean relations. Then, we will visit Cheolwon Crane Museum (eco-museum), where we can learn about the natural habitat of cranes around the area. We will also see the Nodongdang-sa, or Communist Party Building, the now bombed remains of what was once the headquarters of the Labor Party of the DPRK before the Korean War.
Our excursion will start from beside the Yongsan Post Office (Subway, Line number 4, blue line, Sinyongsan Station #429, exit #1) at 8:30 a.m., and return is slated for 7:30 p.m. Cost of the excursion is W42,000 for members and W50,400 for non-members. You may pack a lunch or purchase it at a Korean restaurant at the Gosokjeong stop. Please bring passports and ID's (Korean citizens) as these are necessary for admission to some secured areas on the excursion. Please remember that in case of some unexpected incident such as sometimes occurs at the De-Militarized Zone dividing the Koreas, it may be necessary to cancel the excursion.
Reservations confirmation: Friday, January 20, 2012.
TO: R.A.S.
PLEASE RESERVE SPACE ON THE CHEOLWON COUNTYEXCURSION, SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2012 FOR THE FOLLOWING:
NAME________________________________ MEMBER________ NONMEMBER_________
NAME________________________________ MEMBER________ NON-MEMBER_________
PHONE NO. (MOBILE) ______________________ (OFFICE / HOME) ____________________
Please make a payment before Friday,January 25, 2012to the following account:
Shinhan Bank Account #100-026-383501(RAS-KB)
