uso tour to dmz

If you want to visit the DMZ , you will have to book a tour such as the USO Tour. Individual visitors are not allowed and reservations must be booked in advance.

There are many groups for you to choose from that charge different prices, but one of the best known and most popular ways to visit the DMZ is with the United Service Organizations (USO). Tours depart from Camp Kim In Seoul.

Highlights include Panmunjom , 3rd Infiltration Tunnel , Dora Observatory , and Dorasan Station .

The tour also stops at a buffet style restaurant for lunch which costs 10,000 won. This is the only opportunity to purchase food.

You will need to bring your passport.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Do not be late for any reason.

Table of Contents

Booking with the USO

To book visit the Koridoor website at http://www.koridoor.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=travelInfo&wr_id=221. Click on Schedule & Bookings at the top left when you are ready to choose a date.

Koridoor is an official affiliate of the USO.

Dates and Times Tours are available on most, but not all, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Generally, times are 1230 on Wednesdays, 730 on Fridays, and 730, 900, and sometimes 1230 on Saturdays.

Exact times and dates vary by week. The schedule for each month can be viewed at http://www.koridoor.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=schedule. Click on the link for “DMZ/JSA & 3rd Tunnel…” on the day of your choice, and then on Reservation on the next page.

Cost 96,000 won, or about $87, per person (civilian).

Directions And Getting There

Option 1 Take Subway Line 4 or Line 6 to Samgakji Station (Exit 10). Camp Kim will be on the left after a 5-7 minute walk from the exit. Option 2 Take Subway Line 1 to Namyoung Station (Exit 1). After exiting, walk 100 meters to an intersection and turn right. Camp Kim will be on the right after 150 meters.

Last Updated on Oct 16, 2023

DMZ – the Deadly Line Dividing Korea

Panmunjom - jsa.

Their faces are stern and unflinching, eyes hidden behind sunglasses, standing rigid in a martial arts stance.

These soldiers watch over the southern border zone.

The Demilitarized Zone is a 4 kilometer-wide no-man’s-land of woodlands, slicing the Korean peninsula in half.

Guarding this split are landmines, surveillance cameras, watchtowers and barbed wire.

And while the Demilitarized Zone must not hold any serious weaponry, enormous armies and killing machines await easily within reach. Yeah, the DMZ of Korea is perpetually the tensest border on the planet.

Best DMZ tours are the USO tour from Seoul

Actually, it’s the only option.

This is the DMZ Tour Package for Foreigners.

They take you by tour bus into the JSA, or the Joint Security Area, at Panmunjom inside the Zone.

[ SEE INFO BELOW current as of 2022 ]

Both sides administer this area, where views of the North are clear and where the tensions are only metres away.

My visit to the Demilitarized Zone occurred a week after North Korea’s first-ever nuclear test (in 2006), and so the guiding officer spoke of the ‘heightened tension’.

They created the Demilitarized Zone after the Korean War

A ceasefire happened in 1953, yet there’s never been a permanent peace agreement signed.

Over the years, many hostile acts have erupted, mostly started by the North.

Despite the ongoing aggravation, reunification of the peninsula is a stated goal of both Koreas.

Inside the JSA Meeting Room, the US army guide told us if we sat on the official chairs, we would be “physically removed.”

Likewise, if we dashed across to the North, he or the ROK guards would stop us.

So “don’t embarrass yourselves,” were his warning words.

But like, would anyone in this group really defect to the North?

Back in the 1970s – during the Cold War – North Korea had prepared tunnels thru solid rock to attack Seoul (inspired by successful Viet-Cong tactics).

These tunnels were discovered and never used.

The North had painted the walls with coal, claiming the tunnels were for mining. But science proved this false.

According to military assessments, it’s thought one tunnel could’ve surged 30,000 troops and artillery towards Seoul within an hour of hostilities.

The USO DMZ Tour takes 100 people per visit, only

However, you can’t just stroll around or point your camera anywhere.

In fact, very little walking in the DMZ is allowed.

An army jeep escorted the tour buses from the JSA to other points of interest, including an observation point, where we marveled at a vista of North Korea (below).

Note: the giant flag pole – 160 metres tall to out-do the South’s village flag-pole standing at 100 metres.

The North’s flag is visible when a good wind catches it.

It’s 30 meters long and one of the world’s biggest – and needs to be replaced every 3 months, because of wear and tear, according to the guide.

In 2017, I visited the DMZ from North Korea . On the roof terrace of that stern concrete building, I looked over to where I posed this shot in South Korea in 2006.

Taking the USO DMZ Panmunjom Tour

– CHECK FOR LATEST INFO –

First, you can NOT just rock up to the DMZ at Panmunjon.

There was only one choice using USO when I visited, but now it seems there are more choices.

You will need to make an advance tour reservation.

Try the USO reservation here . Or book here at Koridoor .

There are two USO tours available, but I suggest taking the longer, fuller-featured option. I did.

• USO Tours run on Tuesday to Saturday, inclusive, except on national holidays.
• The price of the full-day USO Korea DMZ Tour is $92
• Tour duration: 7:30 – 15:30.
• There is a lunch stop mid-tour, but this cost is NOT included.

Departure Point: You will need to be at the KORIDOOR office in Yongshan before 7:30. Get there by subway.

Getting there by Subway:

• SAM GAK JI (삼각지) Station – line #4 and #6 : Way out to Exit No. 10 and walk straight about 500 Meters (8 mins) to “SeoJo Building” KORIDOOR Tour office on the 1st floor.
• NAM YOUNG (남영) Station – line # 1 : Way out to Exit No. 1 to the right and walk about 100 Meters (3 mins) to intersection, then turn right and walk about 120 Meters to “SeoJo Building” KORIDOOR Tour office on the 1st floor.

(Info from Koridoor.co.kr – and check this link for taxi directions AND a walking map of the area):

DMZ Korea Tour – Travel Tips

YOU MUST TAKE YOUR PASSPORT.

You must not to speak, gesture, approach, or respond to the North Korea guards.

Wear boots/shoes if doing the tunnel visit.

It’s all very controlled – so listen to the escort soldiers and don’t wander far – or else. The time for each stop is often short/rushed.

THINGS CHANGE:

There may now also be restrictions on visiting the cut tree / axe murder site and the Bridge of No Return because of disagreements with the north. When I visited these sights, they were only accessible from the bus window, anyhow.

The JSA tour has changed from an open spot (always-on tourist destination to a border military zone). Therefore, unlike the pre-booking system, confirmation is daily, and it’s done one day prior to the tour date.

Travels in South Korea – 2006

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South Korea: USO DMZ Tour Review

Posted: 15/05/2014 by Baldpacker

I arrived at the USO for the start of the tour by taking the train to Samgakji station, taking exit #10, and walking toward Seoul Station until I reached the United Service Organizations (USO) office at Camp Kim’s Gate #17. From there I signed in with my passport and boarded the bus. Our tour guide’s name was Lena and she did a good job of explaining what we were seeing as we took the bus North out of Seoul towards the DMZ. She explained that Seoul is separated by the Han River and connected by 31 bridges which is a key to efficient transport in the city.

DMZ History

Before explaining my trip to the DMZ, I want to explain what I learned about the history leading up to the creation of the DMZ as it really adds to the significance of the tour stops and why the DMZ is so interesting.

 The 38 th parallel, which roughly divides the Korean Peninsula in half, marked the boundary between the US and Soviet administration areas at the end of WWII. After the creation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea) in 1948, this parallel became a defacto border and a tense front of the cold war. Due to the Soviet and US influence over the regions, North Korea adopted a communist government while South Korea adopted a right wing government.

Display in Third Tunnel Museum Showing DMZ Area

In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea across the 38 th parallel marking the outbreak of the Korean War. North Korea quickly pushed through South Korea until a rapid UN counter-offensive drove the North Koreans past the 38 th parallel and almost to the YaluRiver, when China entered the war on the side of North Korea. The Chinese intervention along with Soviet support forced the allied forces to retreat back South behind the 38 th parallel. It amazed me to see how much territory changed hands during the war and it is sad yet fitting that after all of the fighting the border stabilized back to essentially where it began, diagonally across the 38 th parallel. The conflict claimed over three million lives and finally ended with the creation of the DMZ.

The DMZ is a defacto border that runs approximately along the 38 th parallel in a diagonal manner separating North Korea from South Korea. The border was created by the Korean Armistice Agreement between the UN, North Korea, and China (note that South Korea was not part of the agreement) in 1953. The demilitarized zone is 250 kilometers long, approximately 4 kilometers wide, and, despite the name, surrounds the most militarized border in the world. Even on the drive from Seoul I could begin to see the barbed wire, guard posts, and road blocks that remain prepared for potential conflict with North Korea.

Third Tunnel

Our first tour stop was the third tunnel, or “third tunnel of aggression” as its sometimes known. The third tunnel was discovered in 1978 and is one of four tunnels discovered in South Korea (it is expected there could be up to twenty more) that were dug by North Korea, assumably for the purpose of attack. The third tunnel is the most famous as it was only 44km from Seoul when it was discovered and could have accommodated 30,000 men per hour with light weaponry, making it a significant threat to South Korea and the 1953 Armistice Agreement.

The third tunnel is now a tourist attraction and there is a museum with an excellent movie explaining the conflict and the tunnel. There were also many interesting displays describing the history of the DMZ and showcasing many of the weapons used in the Korean War. Apparently, North Korea had first denied building the tunnel and suggested that South Korea was behind its construction. However, the dynamite drill marks and incline of the tunnel (so water flows towards the entrance rather than end being dug) provided rather conclusive evidence that North Korea was behind the construction. That’s when North Korea claimed that the tunnel was actually a coal mine. Hysterically, the granite walls of the tunnel were painted with black “coal” to try and support this statement, even though geologically it is not possible.

It is also possible to enter the tunnel itself, though no photos are allowed. South Korea drilled a tunnel 358 meters long and 70 meters deep to intersect with the end of North Korea’s tunnel and put up three large concrete barriers to prevent North Korea from re-entering it. The walk down to the tunnel is quite long and steep and even though the space is quite large, could certainly lead to claustrophobia among some people. Once in the tunnel itself, I had to duck quite often and was very thankful to have been wearing one of the supplied hard hats. Water naturally drops from seams in the granite and at the end of the pedestrian tunnel, I could see through a small window in the first barrier towards the second large concrete barrier. It is hard to imagine 30,000 troops being able to fit through the tunnel in an hour, but I expect it would be possible with well selected and trained personnel. Apart from the JSA itself, the third tunnel was my favourite stop of the tour.

Dora Observatory

The next stop was the Dora Observatory. The observatory is on top of MountDora (Dorasan) and looks across the DMZ. Once again, they showed a short movie in a large theater with floor to ceiling glass walls that look out over North Korea. The movie gave a brief description of the observatory and then went on to explain the sites visible from the observatory.  After the film we were let outside where there were a row of pay-per-use binoculars to allow for closer viewing of North Korea and the DMZ. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed, but I was able to observe many of the landmarks and sites identified in the video.

Viewing North Korean Flag Pole from South Korea

The main sites are Kijong-dong, also known as “propaganda village”, which is a town of multi-story apartments with electric lighting that would appear quite luxurious to rural Koreans in the 1950s when they were constructed. Funnily enough, modern telescopes prove the buildings are just empty concrete shells that lack window glass and interior rooms. The reason Kijong-dong is known as propaganda village is because up until 2004, massive speakers directed propaganda broadcasts towards South Korea.

The next funny site was the South Korean and North Korean flag towers. In the 1980s, South Korea built a 98.4 meter tower with a 130kg South Korean flag in its village of Daeseong-dong. The North Korean government responded by building a 160 meter tower with a 270 kg North Korean flag in Daeseong-dong.

Also visible on the mountain tops were radio jamming towers operated by North Korea, which are clearly intended to block any radio or television broadcasts from entering North Korea. The final noteworthy site was the large industrial area known as the Kaesong Industrial Park. The park is 10km north of the DMZ, an hour’s drive from Seoul, with direct road and rail access to South Korea. The park is hoped to help lead North Korea and South Korea towards unification as the governments mutually benefit from the industrial park’s operation. South Korean companies obtain cheap North Korean labour (I heard labour only costs 1/3 of what it would in China) while North Koreans gain ~53,000 jobs and ~$90 million per year in wages, paid directly to the North Korean government. It is hoped the successful cooperation in the industrial park may one day lead to more cooperation in the countries, allowing for families divided by the Korean War to reunite and South Korea to directly access Asian and European markets by rail via North Korea.

Click HERE to Read About the Rest of My USO DMZ Tour

Category: Asia , Countries , South Korea Tags: Third Tunnel , tour

2 Comments on “South Korea: USO DMZ Tour Review”

Yes! Finally someone writes about dmz trip.

Incredible look into the DMZ!

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USO DMZ Tour--Mediocre - Koridoor Tours

• Asia    
• South Korea    
• Seoul    
• Seoul - Things to Do    
• Koridoor Tours

I originally reserved a DMZ JSA tour in 2019 Dec.. but it was canceled because of African Swine Flu... read more

As we been to Seoul many times, we wanted to travel to the southern part of Korea this time and... read more

USO DMZ Tour--Mediocre

Had heard that the USO DMZ tours offered by Koridoor were great. Lonely Planet ranks them as the No. 1 tour to the DMZ from Seoul. I went on the tour last week and was sorely disappointed. Our guide Clara (or Claire?) spoke English with a really grating accent. She kept referring to North Korea as "nurse Korea" and the Korean War as the Korea "word." She could talk for a good chunk of time and you'd hear the words, but have no idea what she was trying to say. I've spent a lot of time in the developing world listening to bad English, but Clara spoke probably some of the worst English I have encountered from an English tour guide in Asia. She tried to inform us about Korean history, the Korean War, the DMZ and the logistics of our tour. All the topics that she discussed were topics of interest to us, but it was rather painful to listen to her, and because this was a day tour and she talked throughout the day, the whole experience became extremely annoying. At times, Clara was also rather disorganized. For instance, she'd start telling the tour group where and when they need to meet after dispersing and half the group isn't actually there. During lunch for instance, she never told us what time we were supposed to get back on the bus. She's not irresponsible and she seemed nice, but she is quite young, and it's obviously not easy to manage a bus full of people. Nevertheless, we all paid good money for the tour. Koridoor seriously needs to train tour guides who can speak better English. It does a disservice to the customer as well as to the weighty historical sites they've come to see. I took at tour at Seoul's main palace and joined a tour led by one of the palace guides. Now that's a tour worthy of the place that was once the seat of the Korean empire. Our guide spoke English well, explained the history well, and just knew her stuff. Koridoor should really invest in somebody like that for the DMZ tour. The best part of our tour was the small portion to the JSA. It's really the DMZ that everybody has come to see. Incidentally, it was also the part where the U.S. military took over as our guide. That, however, lasted only for maybe half an hour. The Third Tunnel, Dorasan Station, the observation station and the rest all made sense as part of the tour, but the tour definitely felt like it was dragging on when we got to these places. Clara's explanations did not help. What's shocking to me is that everybody keeps telling you how the USO tour is the best one there is. Many of the other ones don't even go to the JSA. So I guess if you want to go to the DMZ, your options are limited, and Koridoor Tours turns out to be one of the bad ones you'll have to choose from.

Full day tour to the DMZ - you technically get to enter North Korea. Very comfortable bus escorts you around to several sites - JSA, Third infiltration Tunnel, Dora observatory and Dorasan Station. Guides are very informative and you must book at least two weeks in advance. JSA is the neatest as you can come very close to NK soldiers. You are escorted by U.S. and ROK (South Korean) soldiers to the meeting room which straddles the border between the North and South and is where they come to negotiate. The Dora Observatory is the 2nd most interesting as you get to peak inside this incredibly reclusive country and view Kaeseong - the joint working industrial complex that is very much in the news today.

I can't add much to what others have said here. I wanted to go 6 feet into North Korea, even if there was a building around me, and this was about the only way I could do it! I booked in advance as this tour can sell out ahead of time. There's currently no way of paying online so you have to either fax, email or call their office in Korea with your credit card info. Be advised that the trip down, and especially back up to the 3rd tunnel is a bit of a workout. Especially since you are not allowed to wear shorts and t-shirts with this tour company (and being a USO affilated tour). If you're 6 feet or taller, the actual tunnel is shorter than you so wear your helmet! Take some snacks as you'll probably get hungry before "dinner" at the cafeteria they take you to. The food there was good (the beer even better) but I have to admit I was hungry after climbing up that 350 meter 11 degree angle tunnel from the actual 3rd tunnel. There are several bathroom/souvenir shop breaks US military personnel take over at Camp Boniface and are as to be expected, very professional and efficient, as well as willing to answer any questions you may have within an alloted time. The only negative to speak of is that by the time we were on our way back to Seoul, our tour quide was more interested in relaxing so she put on a movie that was the oddest movie I've tried to ignore - when most of us would probably have preferred some quiet in order to nap ourselves.

We did the DMZ day trip. It was an hour+ bus ride up to the border. During that time our tour guide told us about the Korean history. After we got to the DMZ, our tour was taken over by the U.S. military. We walked down to the third tunnel, we went to the Dorasan Train Station, the JSA, and the meeting houses. We couldn't take a lot of pictures during the trip for security reasons. It was a good informative trip. I just wish I could remember everything they told us.

Very impressed with Koridoor Tours; from start to finish the tour lasted about seven hours (including bus ride and dinner). After having compared different DMZ tours I found this tour to be the best priced. WARNING: the 350 meter, 11 degree incline walk up after visiting the 3rd infiltration tunnel is not for sissies or whimps - I'll admit, I had to stop twice going up.

Went on the DMZ tour. Great guide (Clara), was very interesting to see everything so close up and get the chance to see such a interesting place up close. Highly recommended.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

• Facilities 4.0
• Atmosphere 3.5

A mere 35 miles north of Seoul, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a 148-mile-long, 2-mile-wide swath of land marking the division between North and South Korea. Running close to the infamous 38th Parallel (the final front in the Korean War), the DMZ was set up in 1953 as a buffer zone between the two warring countries. The Military Demarcation Line – the actual border between North and South Korea – has been heavily manned on both sides by military personnel ever since. And though there have only been a few minor military altercations in the past 60 years, tensions remain between the two sides. In fact, since the DMZ was set up through an armistice and not a peace treaty, North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war.

You may think a daytrip to the DMZ is a fool's errand, but it is actually an extraordinarily popular thing to do when visiting Seoul. A number of companies run tours to Panmunjom , an abandoned town that straddles the Military Demarcation Line where the famous Joint Security Area is located. It was here that North Korean, South Korean, Chinese, American and United Nations diplomats signed the Korean War Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. Visitors are invited to place their feet on either side of a line that runs along the building's floor separating the two nations – one foot in South Korea and the other in North Korea. Tourists can also peer out at the mysterious country to the north through mounted telescopes.

Many tours of the DMZ also include a visit to Imjingak – a park that features relics from the Korean war as well as monuments and a lookout point that faces North Korea – and to the Third Tunnel of Aggression, one of four tunnels dug by the North Koreans leading under the DMZ into South Korea. While North Korean officials maintain that the tunnel was dug for coal mining, South Korea found no coal in the vicinity. Recent visitors caution that the journey into the tunnel can be strenuous; because of its low ceiling, many travelers had to stoop for the duration of the short hike. Also, be warned that the various areas of the DMZ can get very crowded. That said, most visitors still found the overall experience to be exciting, powerful and moving.

There are several companies that run DMZ tours. The United Service Organizations (USO) tours by Koridoor offer affordable DMZ tours. A half-day tour costs $36 per person, while a full-day tour costs $65. For more information about DMZ tours, visit Koridoor's official website .

Tours & Tickets

Best DMZ Tour Korea from Seoul (Red Suspension Bridge Optional)

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from $ 55.00

Korea DMZ Tour from Seoul-Hotel Pickup / option: Suspension Bridge

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DMZ 3rd Invasion Tunnel and Suspension Bridge Day Tour from Seoul

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More Best Things To Do in Seoul

#1 Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower

Home to five warning beacons and a protective city wall during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Mount Namsan now hosts a park and a smattering of tourism sites like an aquarium, a library and a bevy of beautiful walking trails.

But most people visit Namsan Park for its panoramic views of Seoul. To scope it out for free, visit Palgakjeong, an octagon-shaped viewing pavilion that boasts alluring vistas of the city. For an even more breathtaking sight, shell out a few won to get to the observation platform atop N Seoul Tower, Namsan Park's real showstopper. Recent visitors said that on clear days, the view from 1,574 feet up is spectacular. Out on the sky deck, you can't miss the thousands of padlocks attached to the fence; couples lock them there as symbols of everlasting love (bring your own lock if you're feeling romantic). For an extra-special experience, reserve a table for dinner in the rotating French restaurant, n.GRILL, on the tower's top floor. 

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How to choose the best DMZ Tour (2024 edition)

By: Author Sylvia

Posted on Last updated: January 22, 2024

Are you wondering what’s the best DMZ tour?

When we visited Korea for the first time, we absolutely wanted to visit the DMZ.

We did tremendous research about the best way to visit the DMZ and the best DMZ tour.

What we didn’t know at that time was that the inter-Korean summit would sabotage our plans.

Our DMZ tour was canceled because of the meeting between the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in.

Covid-19 threw a wrench in the works of our second trip to Korea, but in 2023, the moment finally arrived! We could again travel to Korea, and this time our visit to the DMZ, became a reality. Hooray!

The visit to the DMZ is slightly different after Covid than it used to be. We share all the latest details.

Here’s everything we learned from our extensive research and from our visit in 2023.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

In a hurry? Here you will find the most important information about the DMZ

The DMZ is an interesting place to visit and a perfect way to learn more about Korean history and the current situation of separation between North and South Korea.

• The cheapest way to visit the DMZ is with the DMZ peace train . (The train has stopped running due to COVID-19 and service has not yet resumed at this time. )

DMZ half or full-day trip

• DMZ half or full-day trip ( is slightly cheaper than the one above, but at the moment only runs on Saturday or Sunday )
• DMZ Tour with Optional North Korean Defector
• If you are traveling with a larger family or a group, you could consider a private tour with a guide
• After 2 years of being closed, the JSA is finally reopening. Note that JSA Tours are very popular and are quickly booked up. If you want to visit the JSA you should book your tour as soon as your travel plans are fixed. Read on to learn the difference between the DMZ and the JSA .

Table of Contents

What’s the DMZ

In order to completely understand what the DMZ is all about we will start with some history.

The complete Korean peninsula on which both North and South Korea are currently located was annexed by Japan in 1910. The Japanese treated Korea as a colony. The interests of the Koreans were completely subordinate to the interests of Japan.

Japan was defeated by the Allies at the end of the second world war in 1945.  At that time the Soviet Union had occupied the Northern part of Korea and the United States took control of the Southern part of the Peninsula.  

7 days in Korea, the perfect itinerary. 

The intention of the two superpowers was to create a temporary separation between the 2 parts. Plans existed to create a united and  independent Korea in 5 years but things turned out differently. 

The Cold War ensured that there was no agreement to hold elections for the whole of Korea.

The differences in politics drove the 2 parts further apart instead of coming to each other.

In 1948 the independent Republic of Korea was established in the American zone.  In the same year, the Communist Democratic Korean People’s Republic (North Korea) was founded in the north.

Two years later the Northern army invaded the South with the aim of uniting the two Koreas into one communist state.  This was the start of a 3-year-long civil war that claimed more than 2 million victims.

Initially, the Northern army succeeded in overrunning 90% of the South but they were fought back by US-led reinforcements sent by the UN.

In their turn, they crossed the border and made plans to conquer the whole North, against the will of China that launched a counter-attack.

It took until July 27, 1953, before the Armistice Agreement was signed.

The two parties took long to negotiate where the new border should be but in the end, it was decided that the border remained more or less where it had been all the time. 

The new border diagonally crosses the  38th latitude and was widened with the creation of a four-kilometer-wide weapons-free buffer zone between the states, known as the DMZ.

The war left its traces and further perpetuated the division of Korea leading to a permanent alliance between South Korea and the United States and the establishment of a US base in South Korea.

There has been a truce since then but o fficially the 2 countries are still at war with each other.   We read about how you can literally feel the tension at the border where the armies of both countries are facing each other.

In other parts of South Korea, such as Busan , you do not notice much of the war except that foreign navigation systems, such as Google Maps, do not work because South Korea requires that all mapping data is stored locally. The government also enforces that military bases are removed from maps. Apparently, Google couldn’t promise to obey to all these rules.

In 2018 both countries have done a considerable effort to ease their relations.  At the Korean summit in May 2018, they vowed to officially end the war within a year.

Since then several other meetings have taken place between both parties as well as a historic meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong-un in June.  That was the first time that the sitting leaders of these countries spoke in person.

We are now well past this deadline and nothing has come of it. Relations between the two countries have even deteriorated again.

It would be great news if Korea would finally be reunited but at this point, it doesn’t seem like this will happen anytime soon.

Over time the DMZ will hopefully transition into a more amicable place but nothing has changed for the time being.

It may be one of the world’s most heavily militarized borders but it’s also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Korea.  The DMZ welcomes more than 1.2 million foreign travelers each year, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.

Why visit the DMZ

The guided tours are very educational and some tours have a North Korean defector as a tour guide who can give you more insight into how life is on the other side of the border. 

It is at this point one of the few still active remnants of the cold war and that makes it extra special.

Americans and South Koreans are not allowed to travel into North Korea, for them this will be the closest they can get to this isolated country.  And despite the fact that other nationalities are allowed to travel to the country, there are not many who do it.

The DMZ is described as one of the most volatile regions in the world and it is a border post that has torn thousands of families apart and still holds them hostage in their “new” country. 

It feels strange that at the same time it is one of the top tourist attractions in this country.

We wondered if we would not feel guilty that we as a tourist came to look at a place that is the source of so much misery for other people.

What convinced us is that we believe that, by showing this to people, hopefully, the following generations will learn from the mistakes of the past.

What is the difference between the DMZ and the JSA

With regard to the tours, there is a distinction between the DMZ and the JSA tours in Korea.

JSA refers to the Joint Security Area , this is as close as you can get to North Korea.

The JSA is what most people probably think about when they think about the Korean border.  This is the area with the blue barracks that are used for all the negotiations between the North and the South.

This is an iconic picture of the JSA but things may be different today.  One of the first things that North and South Korea agreed upon was to clear the JSA of all weapons and military.  This disarmament was completed in October 2018.

The good news is that they also decided to preserve the JSA in its current state.

Later on, in this article, we discuss in more depth the different points of interest that DMZ and JSA DMZ tours cover.

Who can visit the DMZ? 

Everybody can join the DMZ tours but at this point, certain restrictions are still in place regarding the JSA.

Since the JSA has been disarmed the expectation is that these restrictions will disappear in the near future.

Until that is a fact, these nationalities can visit the JSA but will need to provide a scan of their passport at the time of booking a tour. Albania – Afghanistan – Algeria – Azerbaijan – Bangladesh – Bahrain – Belarus – China – Cuba – Egypt – Estonia – Georgia – Hong Kong – Iran – Iraq – India – Indonesia – Jordan – Kazakhstan – Kuwait – Kyrgyzstan – Latvia – Lebanon – Libya – Lithuania – Malaysia – Morocco – Moldova – Nigeria – North Korea – Oman – Pakistan – Qatar – Russia – Saudi Arabia – Somalia – Sudan – Syria – Taiwan – Tajikistan – Turkmenistan – Tunisia – Ukraine – United Arab Emirates – Uzbekistan – Vietnam – Yemen Visitors with European, American, or Australian nationality do not have any restrictions when visiting the JSA.

Children must be accompanied by their parents for both the JSA as well as the DMZ tours.

Some tour companies require that children are at least 10 years old before they can participate in a JSA tour.  If you’re planning on doing a DMZ or DMZ/JSA tour with small children we recommend that you check with the tour company.

Things to know when visiting the DMZ

Opening hours.

The DMZ tours don’t run on Mondays and Korean holidays ( except Korea’s New Year and Thanksgiving Day).

If the Korean holiday happens to be during a weekend, there is a chance that the DMZ tours will run anyway.

We cover an alternative DMZ tour that you can do if your only chance is to visit the DMZ would be a Monday. More about this tour later.

Things you should bring

A current valid passport is required for both the DMZ as well as JSA DMZ tour. 

You have to take your passport with you.

Without your passport, you won’t be allowed to join the tour.

A dress code applies when visiting the JSA.

The dress code is expected to disappear now that the disarmament of the JSA is a fact but for the time being, we would advise you to stick to the dress code or to check with your tour operator to confirm what you will be wearing is OK.

This is the dress code:

• Skirts/dresses need to be at least knee length
• No sandals, flip-flops,s or slippers
• No t-shirts: must be collared shirts
• Civilian clothes preferred
• Jeans accepted with no holes (no ripped jeans)
• No tank tops
• No exercise clothes
• No clothing with militarily styled prints
• No stretch pants/tights

The reason that the dress code is in place has nothing to do with security as most would think.

The dress code came after it appeared that North Korea used photos of “sloppy” dressed foreigners to use them in their propaganda.   The North Korean government used the photos to showcase the poor state of the other countries.

For this same reason, it is not allowed to wave to the North Korean guards.  Images of foreigners waving to North Korean guards have been used in propaganda and have been framed as people who wanted to defect to the communist state.

Codes of conduct 

There is still a strict code of conduct in place as we write this article. You mustn’t wave, point, or in any other way signal to the North Korean guards.

Photos are also not allowed everywhere.  The guides will tell you what you can and cannot take pictures of. (eg. it is not allowed to take pictures inside the 3rd infiltration tunnel)

When you tour the JSA you must at all times stay with your guide and the military escorts and comply with all the instructions given by your guide and the military.

The disarmament will result in a more relaxed code of conduct in the future.

Most interesting points of interest

The most interesting sights are the Joint Security Area, the Freedom Bridge, the Infiltration Tunnels, and the Mount Odu Observatory.

The Joint Security Area (JSA)

Located in Panmunjom, the JSA is the closest point a tourist can get to North Korea without getting arrested or shot.

Here you’ll have a chance to physically stand in North Korea. It is also the only spot  in the DMZ, where the South and North Korean soldiers face each other.

The JSA area is occupied by the South Korean and US military. 

Bill Clinton repeatedly called this border post the scariest place on earth but it is touristy at the same time.  There is even a gift shop selling original items from North Korea, including stamps, money, and wine.

A visit to the JSA zone usually starts in Camp Bonifas.  

This is a United Nations Command military post that houses the United Nations Command Security Battalion of the Joint Security Area whose primary mission is to monitor and enforce the Korean Armistice Agreement of 1953.

Here you will normally also be given a 20-minute briefing by an American soldier explaining the rules and possible dangers. 

There are quite a few rules you should follow so listen carefully. You cannot  take any loose items with you, if you bring a coat you have to wear it all the time (you cannot hang it over your arm), you will also have to walk to the actual border in “formation” and have to set up in rows, etc. 

At this point, you’ll also be signing a waiver that absolves South Korea, the UN, and the USA in case any incidents will arise.  The waiver explicitly states that the visitor’s safety is not guaranteed in the event of unanticipated complications.

A standard formality because in recent years there have been no accidents and these tours are done on a regular basis.

This document also provides more information about photo privileges, specifically when and where you’re allowed to take pictures.

Once everybody has signed the waiver a tour bus brings you to the freedom house.

Here two South Korean soldiers of a special unit stand guard facing soldiers from North Korea.   Often there is only one soldier on the side of North Korea.

The JSA is the only part of the DMZ where North and South Korean soldiers are face-to-face. They stare at each other all day long and have been for several years.

A little later you can enter the conference room. This is the actual conference room where the armistice agreement was signed.  In this room, you will get the chance to cross the border.  The border cuts the conference room in 2 so when you cross the room to the opposite side you’re effectively in North Korean territory. 

This concludes your visit to the actual JSA zone, next you get a short tour along a lookout point towards North Korea from where you can see the Propaganda Village.

This is a well-tended village just along the North Korean border that is supposedly housing 200 families, several schools, and a hospital. 

Tourists seldom see any movement in the village and it is believed that North Korea only built the town for propaganda purposes.  Hence the name South Koreans gave to the town.

You will also visit the location of the Korean ax murder incident.  Two American soldiers were killed here by North Koreans while cutting a tree.  

Another highlight is the bridge of no return.

This is the bridge where prisoners between the two countries were exchanged after the Korean War. 

The name originates from the final ultimatum that was given to prisoners of war brought to the bridge for repatriation: they could either remain in the country of their captivity or cross the bridge to return to their homeland.

However, once they chose to cross the bridge, they would never be allowed to return, even if they later changed their minds.

After 2 years of being closed, the JSA is finally reopening.

Note that JSA Tours are very popular and book out quickly. We therefore recommend that you book as early as possible so that you can choose your desired date.

Check prices and availability: DMZ-JSA Tour

Imjingak Park and the Freedom Bridge

Imjingak Park has an important sentimental and symbolic meaning. This park commemorates families who are separated because of the split between North and South. 

The remnants of the Freedom Bridge can be seen from the park. This bridge was long 1 of only 2 bridges that crossed the Imjin River.

It had long served peaceful purposes but its position close to the Korean border made it of crucial importance during the Korean War.

The bridge was destroyed early in the war, making the Imjingang bridge alongside it the only connection to supply the Southern troops fighting in the Northern territory with supplies.

After the peace treaty was signed this bridge was also used to exchange the sick and wounded prisoners.

The Third Tunnel of Aggression

The Third Tunnel of Aggression is one of four known tunnels under the border between North and South Korea.

The tunnels have been dug to make a surprise attack from North Korea on South Korea.

North Korea denies this and claims the tunnels are part of a network of tunnels belonging to a coal mine.  This is highly unlikely as coal has never been found in the area.

The Third Tunnel of Aggression is located 44 kilometers from Seoul and was discovered in 1978.  It runs underneath the Demilitarized Zone. 

The incomplete tunnel is 1,635 meters long, with a height and width of 2 meters. It is estimated that the tunnel would be able to accommodate more than 30,000 soldiers with light weapons per hour.

Today the tunnel has become an all-inclusive tourist attraction, with a DMZ video hall, representative sculptures, gift shops, and more.

The tunnel is located 73 meters below the surface and is accessed through a steep tunnel. It makes for quite a tough climb. For a supplement, you can use the monorail pictured above to enter and exit the tunnel. Check in advance with the tour organizer if he can arrange this if you want to use the monorail.

You can walk a part of the tunnel until the MDL (military demarcation line). The tunnel may feel quite cramped and if you’re claustrophobic you want to skip it.

Pictures are not allowed in the tunnel.

The Dora Observatory

The Dora Observatory is the northernmost Observatory.  It is situated on top of Mount Dora.

Here you can catch a rare glimpse of the reclusive North Korean state without setting foot in the country.

You will see the Kijong-dong Propaganda village and, on a clear day, you can see as far as the real city of Kaesong situated about 8km from the DMZ.

Kaesong is the only city that actually changed hands after the Armistice agreement was signed.  It used to be under the control of South Korea but is now ruled by the North. 

The Kaesong Industrial region that borders the city is because of its proximity to the border a special administrative region where both people from the North and the South are allowed to work.

You can also see the Dorasan train station , a station located only 650 meters from the Korean border. 

The railway line used to continue into North Korea all the way to the capital city of Pyongyang.

The tracks are still there and one hopes that in the near future the trains will again operate in between the two current capitals.

The Dorasan Train station 

In 2000 North and South Korea made plans for a rail line that connected both capitals.

The line was completed in 2003 but it took until 2007 before the first freight trains started to run across the border.  Not for long unfortunately because already in December 2008 North Korea decided unilaterally to again hermetically close the border.

The Dorasan Train station is currently hugely oversized.  The DMZ train is the only train that serves the station with exactly one arrival and one departure daily.

But, with a large customs & immigration area, the station is completely ready for the day that the trains will again continue further North.  The original intention was to enable passenger transport in the long term. Let’s hope that this will become a reality in the future.

At this point, Dorasan station is more a symbol of the hope for a reunion between South and North Korea than it is an actual functioning train station.

How to visit the DMZ 

The DMZ area is located 60 km from Seoul and can be visited with the DMZ train or a private guided or group tour.

The DMZ peace train

DMZ peace train service has not yet resumed post-COVID-19.

The cheapest way to visit the DMZ is with the DMZ peace train .

The DMZ peace train runs from  Seoul  to Dorasan station from Tuesdays to Sundays. Just before the train reaches Dorasan station it crosses the Imjingang bridge which gives you a good view of the remnants of the Freedom bridge. 

Once arriving at Dorasan station, you can hop on a bus to visit the DMZ. The bus will take you to the Dorasan peace park, the Dora observatory and you will visit the Third Tunnel of Aggression.

Pros and cons

• The cheapest way to visit the DMZ. You will have to take cash to pay separately for the bus tour (if you don’t join the bus tour the only other option is to hang around for 5 hours at the train station) as well as for your lunch.
• This tour might be for you if you don’t like group tours. It gives you slightly more freedom although you still will have to join the bus once you arrive at Dorasan station.

• No English is spoken on the bus tour.
• This tour takes a whole day. If you are short on time you better opt for an organized half-day DMZ tour allowing you to explore the rest of Seoul during the remaining afternoon
• You cannot visit the JSA.
• No hotel pick up, you will need to get to the train station on your own expense

Although we’re not fans of organized group tours ourselves we have opted for an organized tour to visit the DMZ and we were happy with our choice afterward.

The first reason is that you have to join a tour anyway if you want to see the sights such as the infiltration tunnel that are located inside the DMZ. Otherwise, you can only visit Imjingak park.

The second reason is that many of the sights, including in Imjingak park, don’t say that much unless you hear the story from the guide.

We haven’t been able to visit the JSA yet, that will be for our next trip. If you want to visit it you also need to book a tour with a guide.

Finally, there isn’t a huge price difference between what you would pay if you went to the DMZ on your own and took a tour there or booked an organized tour from the start.

That’s why our advice would be to have a look at the organized tours before you opt for the train.

“The scariest place on Earth” – Former US President, Bill Clinton, during his visit to the DMZ in 1993.

The best DMZ tours from Seoul

The most comfortable way to visit the DMZ is with an organized DMZ tour from Seoul.

We recommend using GetYourGuide to book your DMZ tour in Korea. One of the advantages of GetYourGuide is that most tours have a flexible cancellation policy. Normally you can cancel up to 24hours before the tour to get a full refund.

Here is an overview of all the tours on GetYourGuide.

You have a choice between half-day and full-day DMZ tours.

All DMZ tours will head to Imjingak Peace Park first where they will buy tickets to enter the DMZ area. Depending on how busy it is, your group will have to wait there until it’s your turn to visit the DMZ region.

Your guide will tell you some stories about the most important things at Imjingak when you arrive.

You can use your free time at Imjingak to see several monuments and other elements that tell stories about the Korean War. One of them is this steam locomotive riddled with bullets. This was the last train to cross the border. It was destroyed by US soldiers so that it could not be used by North Korean troops.

Once it is your turn to visit the sights inside the DMZ area, the Dora Observatory, and the Infiltration tunnel, you will board a bus and visit those things in groups.

Know that the end times of all tours are only indicative. Only a limited number of people are allowed in the DMZ area at a time. Therefore, there is a real chance that your group will have to wait and that your tour will be delayed. We recommend not booking any other activities on the day of your DMZ visit.

Make sure to book your DMZ tour from Seoul well in advance to avoid disappointments, especially JSA tours tend to sell out well in advance.

Which Dmz Korea tour is the best one? Here’s a list of the most recommended and popular tours. 

To create this list we looked at the itineraries and the reviews.

This tour visits the DMZ and JSA in 1 day. It is the most complete and popular DMZ tour.

Tours to the JSA zone have only just resumed and availability is currently difficult to find.

Check prices and availability: JSA tour on Viator

• Visit the freedom bridge near Imjingpark and the old steam train
• Learn more about the Korean war by visiting the 3rd infiltration tunnel and the DMZ Exhibition Hall
• See North Korea from the Dora observatory
• Visit the Dora station

They offer both half-day and full-day tours. You can join the half-day tour in the morning or in the afternoon. The morning tour starts at 8 am, the afternoon tour at 11 am.

If you opt for a full-day tour, you will also visit the War Memorial of Korea.

Pickup is included ( see the tour for the exact pickup locations)

• Those who are not interested in the JSA or who are short on time will find that the half-day DMZ tours offer a great alternative.  You will see all the highlights of the DMZ and still have a half-day to discover Seoul.
• If you want to visit the War Memorial of Korea, you should opt for the full day tour.

Check prices and availability: DMZ half or full day trip

DMZ half and full-day tour

• Explore the extraordinary Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea
• Get a rare glimpse of North Korea from the Ganghwa Peace Observatory
• Stop by at the Veterans Memorial Park and learn more about the Korean War
• Watch the statues and monuments at Imjingak Park
• See the Bridge of Freedom

There are both half and full-day tours. 

Both tours will take you to all the highlights of the DMZ. 

In addition, the full-day tour includes an authentic Korean-style lunch (Bibimbap) and a real shooting experience back in Seoul.

Due to COVID-19 measures, the places visited will be Imjingak Park, Bridge of Freedom, 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and Dorasan Station.

Note that at the moment this tour only runs on Saturday and Sunday.

• If you aren’t interested in the JSA or short on time will find that the half-day DMZ tours offer a great alternative.  
• The Ganghwa Peace Observatory is a great alternative for those that are looking to visit a less touristic area of the DMZ.
• If you add up all the costs of the train excursion, the difference between these half-day excursions is negligible.

Check prices and availability: DMZ half and full day

DMZ Tour with a North Korean Defector

• Listen to enlightening commentary from a professional guide and a real North Korean defector
• Ask questions about real North Korean life and hear about the past and present of North Korea
• Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone ( tour of DMZ) and learn about both South and North Korea’s history
• Explore all the must-see spots in the DMZ in one tour
• Catch a rare glimpse of the reclusive North Korean territory

Tours 

With this DMZ tour, you visit the must-see spots in the DMZ zone and you have the possibility to ask questions to a North Korean defector about life in North Korea.

You can opt for a tour with or without hotel pick-up.

This tour is similar to the half-day DMZ tour we listed above but you will be accompanied by a guide and a North Korean defector.  

This is our top recommended tour if you want to learn more about North Korea. 

There’s no better way to learn more about North Korea than to speak to somebody who lived there for several years.

Check prices and availability: Tour with Optional North Korean Defector

Private DMZ Peace Tour: 3rd Invasion Tunnel(Monorail) and Suspension Bridge

If you are traveling with a larger family or a group, consider a private tour with a guide.

This tour visits all the important stops such as the freedom bridge and the Mangbaedan altar, the third tunnel, Dora Observatory, and more.

You will also have the option to visit Gamaksan Chulleong Bridge or Majang Lake.

The Gamaksan Chulleong Bridge is with length of 150 meters one of the longest suspension bridges in Korea. This bridge was a fierce battlefield during the Korean War. 

Majang Lake is the lake where the Allied Forces fought a fierce battle during the Korean War.

Check prices and availability: Private DMZ Tour

A journey to South Korea is not complete without a visit to the DMZ.  It may feel strange to travel to a very controversial border post as a tourist but it is the best way to learn about the rich albeit sad history of the 2 Korean countries.

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