Stepping Over The Border Into North Korea: The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

North Korea – a country ruled by a tyrant with it’s people living in a brainwashed, totalitarian world. It’s a huge contrast from it’s first-world, developed neighbors in the South.

It’s a strange thing that you can live and teach English in Seoul, have an amazing lifestyle and make good money in a safe and exciting city… An then drive an hour North and be at the most militarized border in the world.

Go ahead watch the video I made of me going to the eery Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and actually stepping over the border:

This was one of the highlights of my year in Korea.

It’s strange how few Koreans seem to do the tour of the border…

Perhaps it’s a little too painful as there is a deep longing in the collective unconscious of the South Koreans for the unification of the two halves of the Korean peninsular.

As a foreigner it helped me to understand the intense history of conflict the country has experienced.

The sad thing is Koreans are all one people and the splitting of their home led to the separation of thousands of families.

It also made me grateful the opportunity to live and teach in South Korea, where there is freedom of speech and a culture of kindness and generosity among the people.

One thing to note is that despite the conflict in the past and the close proximity to North Korea, right now South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world to live in.

There is a lot of flexing of muscles between the two but it’s not something you need to worry about if you decide to come teach here. You can go ahead and tell your family and friends, that no, going to Korea is not in immanent danger of nuclear war and that your decision to teach in Korea isn't a reckless one. ;)

I've got an exciting announcement coming up soon. Stay tuned for it.

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Speak to you soon,
Alex

[Ckcdillpickle]

The reason why the flag is so tall is because one north Korea made their flag taller so then South korea made their flag taller. It went on for a long time

[anthonypereira]

The border is fortified. It has lots of barbed wire and minefields further along. The JSA just happens to be the most accessible bit for 98% of the world.

[AlexCowardMusic]

I thought if you stepped over the border you are arrested

[Totaro]

I know they tell you that you're crossing the boarder when in the UNCMAC building, but inside the building is actually the UN command neutral zone. So technically, when you go inside you are not in either country.
But, yes physically, according to the boarder line outside you would be in the DPRK if the UNCMAC was not there.
So, sorry you did not actually step inside DPRK(N. Korea)

[codylujan]

How do they decide which side mows the grass?

[uychuadongenrich]

those south korean military are awesome but the north korean military looks too old

[xeriusy]

Why was there a South Korean soldier on the North Korean side @2.46?

[goodeye]

I was there for the AXE murders. My unit cut down the tree with the help of SK troops. It was a very tense time and war almost broke out again.

[beautifulaffliction]

You technically didn't go to North Korea that building is a no mans land building which is neutral. It is owned by the UN

[sandromain]

This is like real life challange, my heart would freeze when i would step on North koreas land and every soldier would look at me

[beyondthestars]

nice, what would happen if you tried to talk to the S.korean soliders in the blue room :D ?

[aaronsnickers]

That is a scary thought that you are standing what i would descibe as ultra scary

[kikianasahmad]

Old sport are you from South Africa? I'm subscribing.

[andreamoboe]

I've been there. It's intense!

[pjones]

Interesting ! Ninjas all over the to Vietnam soon ( in March)....Hope to meet you. Cool video!

[defenderoFreedom]

Those rok soldiers look like they're ready to pull some tae kwon do and beat someone's @$$ to a pulp.

[rablrabl]

What is cool about this place? How many people died there? tortured? think of it.

[dchavez]

DMZ my ass. The only reason nobody's there is cause it's covered with land mine's.

[dbuc]

ur not technically crossing in the DPRK lol. the building u go into is neutral

[iSniffTeemo]

When I see my Flag Omg Philippines <3