The Korean DMZ: The World’s Most Dangerous Border by Morris M.

MAJOR CORRECTION: AUTHOR IS M. MORRIS.
We listed Arnaldo by mistake. Our personal apology to Morris
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Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Morris M.
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris
Business inquiries to [e-mail]
More from Geographics:
Aralsk 7: The USSR’s Anthrax Island
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The Paris Hotel de Ville: Robespierre, Napoleon, and Revolution!
• The Paris Hotel de Vil...
Source/Further reading:
Korean War background: www.history.com/topics/korea/...
Armistice of Korean War: thediplomat.com/2018/08/the-l...
Incidents etc: www.britannica.com/place/demi...
Propaganda Villages: www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obsc...
www.stripes.com/news/s-korean...
Landmines: www.cbsnews.com/news/north-ko...
Wildlife: www.theguardian.com/environme...
Events of 1968: www.nbcnews.com/news/north-ko...
Tunnels of Aggression: www.atlasobscura.com/places/t...
UNESCO: en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20190712...
Trains: www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ra...
www.npr.org/2018/12/05/672305...

[@gigilaco]

“Hello my name is Simon Whistler and I’m host of every channel on KZbin”

[@SenorPiggeh]

I honestly have no problem with it.

[@whiteboard7thstreet]

I honestly have a problem with it

[@stevemcdigstraightdown2404]

I honestly have no problem with it

[@geographicstravel]

I honestly have no problem with it.

[@dylc5604]

Simon Whistler for president 2020

[@IlluminatiBG]

"My flag pole is bigger than your flag pole!" - Advanced Human Politics

[@welfiblablabla]

We visited an observatory where you can see both towns, it really is a geopolitical d#@k mesuring contest. Both sides also blast propaganda over loudspeakers in addition to their flagpoles.

[@JJMHigner]

Classic Human Politics, really.

[@lex1945]

more like this: my dong is longer than yours..

[@mikaelrabb1876]

Dong contest

[@jackhemsworth7515]

how about kim jong un's hotel in pyongyang. or his ski resort. it sticks of "you got the olympics but we can do hotels and tourism too" apart from the fact the hotel has nothing in it, and pretty much bankrupted the north.

[@flyingdutchman7585]

I did two tours on the DMZ back in the 80's. What he left out is that the US and North Korea both send patrols into the DMZ who are supposed to stay on their side of the two kilometers with-in the DMZ. This results in sometimes clashes when these two groups accidentally stray into the other's area or enter on purpose. Both sides also let people in there to farm rice...so in some areas there are lots of rice paddies. Lots of mines as he mentioned, one thing is that in the winter as the ground freezes the pressure sometimes sets off the mines...so on really cold nights you have these random explosions up and down the DMZ. Even in the 80's we found lots of rusted gear, bullets, old hand grenades and other things while on patrol. Fun times.

[@michaellovely6601]

Even though there is no seismic activity on the Korean Peninsula; heaven forbid that Mount Paektu erupts. If that volcano erupts; China, Russia, North Korea, South Korea, Mongolia, and Japan would be royally screwed beyond belief by falling ash, toxic gases, and lava flows. South Korea and Japan would likely receive a lighter blow from the eruption due to their distance from Mount Paektu and early warning systems. China, Russia and Mongolia would also receive a light blow from the eruption as the wind currents in the region tend to blow towards North Korea. This is what would spare these countries from the poison gases; but not the ashfall or the lava flows. The poison gases would undoubtedly suffocate the many prisoners in North Korea's prison camps. Undoubtedly; government officials in Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, Moscow, Pyongyang, Seoul, and Tokyo would be in a state of extreme panic. The only comparable situation to this for the Japanese would be if Mount Fuji erupts. The last time Mount Fuji erupted was 1707; when Japan was isolated from the rest of the world. If Mount Fuji erupts today; Tokyo will be royally screwed beyond belief because Mount Fuji is just sixty miles south of Tokyo.

[@808track]

I was stationed there in 2012 (camp Casey) we were ammo guys and one day we get a call that some ROK engineers may have found a ammo storage site(in ground bunker type) we get there and clearly is indeed an AHA but we didn’t know what it was storing well we found out hahaahah... opened the door by hooking it to a dozer and immediately was hit with a burnt sugar/rock candy smell I peak my head through the crack in the door and see pallet after pallet of old school military grade TNT (not CompB) had a huge but puckering moment cuz that smell was the nitro sweating out of it... now understanding that it’s beyond stupid to go any further as not to risk killing all of us lol long story being short we did a controlled detonation and almost flatten a small mountain near Rod range... a quick inventory was 8 pallets of tnt 3 boxes high and literally the biggest boom I’ve ever seen outside an auctal deployment... for those that don’t know old dynamite has a lot of nitroglycerin which is very unstable and when it gets old that nitro come to the surface and crystallizes... those crystals are like little fuck you buttons...

[@arthas640]

I've read about a few of the clashes like those guys that died during "operation paul bunyan" where the US went into the DMZ to trim a tree and the DPRK claimed the tree was a nationa landmark and had been planted by Kim il Sung himself so the DPRK straight up murdered two Americans for attempted pruning.

[@profwaldone]

Naturaly exploding landmines when no people are near actualy sounds prity convinent. No cleanup required.

[@imasiontist653]

I went to the joint security area two years ago, and about a meter past the North Korean border. Was very interesting.

[@coldwarsarge7592]

As a shut-in, disabled vet I want to say how much I appreciate your fine programs. I love studying history and it's channels like yours that help bring the classroom to my bedside. Keep up the superb work! (I served in US military operations on the DMZ in the 1980's....one of the most intense experiences of my life.)

[@winkleried]

Ditto. Two tours there. After I left the ROK in 1991, my unit conducted the last DMZ rotation and turned that mission over to the ROK military.

[@winkleried]

Anodyne Melody I think you misunderstand what our mission was there. We were there to keep that border sealed shut.

[@metanumia]

@@winkleried By "quiet" I mean precisely what you said. If the border is closed/sealed, then it's literally quiet because there's no fighting going on.

[@winkleried]

Anodyne Melody You have my apologies for my misunderstanding then !

[@mattdavidson535]

SFC. ColdWar Thank you for your service, we do little well enough to take care of our Veterans. Sergeant First Class, if I can EVER assist you and your brothers-in-arms, please do not hesitate to ask. “It is Gods job to judge the enemy, it is our job to arrange the meeting.” - SSgt Hal Davidson, WW2 Veteran (and my Pops aka Grandad)

[@thewalkingmeat8523]

"To show you the power of flextape I sawed this peninsula in half!"

[@shonenjumpmagneto]

Holy fuck lmao.

[@hib7295]

*slaps a heavy economic crisis on North Korea* NOW THAT'S A LOT OF DAMAGE !

[@cherrydragon3120]

THATS ALOT OF DAMAGE!! XD

[@lostfan5054]

And the inside of the DMZ is completely dry!!!

[@BradTheThird]

"...the Animal Kingdom explodes..." Especially when they step on an old landmine.

[@steeljawX]

Which is a bit weird. If the landmine is set to trigger with the weight of a human or more, why are bears and deer running around so freely? I know Asian bears are smaller than American breeds, but they're not full of sawdust and farts. They're still hefty fellas.

[@brandonjc13]

@@steeljawX I don't think they know about the landmines... Did you tell them? I'm not telling them.

[@NyanCatHerder]

I have to admit, I kind of like the fact that both parties to the conflict took a long look at the DMZ's natural environment and went like, "Okay, if we ever patch things up somehow, let's not fuck with this".

[@JJMHigner]

The Irony is that the Berlin Wall was supposed to be permanent and the DMZ temporary. So...

[@kraanz]

Yes? So - what? Either finish your sentences or don't start them at all. "So..." is not a normal way to end a sentence, you pointless teenage girl.

[@JJMHigner]

I don't normally end my sentences like that. Its a joke. So...don't split hairs.

[@bishop51807]

The Problem is China. The same reason why Hong Kong is having a hard time is, the same reason why the Koreas are. China doesn't want a fully democratic country near them, for fear of rebellion. If China wasn't giving North Korea aid then, They would have collapsed with the USSR.

[@JJMHigner]

@@bishop51807 Agreed.

[@austinjacob8026]

@@kraanz lol smoke a bowl or have a beer something dude...relax...

[@geographicstravel]

MAJOR CORRECTION: AUTHOR IS M. MORRIS. We listed Arnaldo by mistake. Our personal apology to Morris

[@dhotnessmcawesome9747]

I'd like to hand out a massive thank you to M. Morris as they were good enough to include the truth that both sides were DICKtators and this whole damned thing is due to US and Russia both acting like spoiled rich white girls sticking their damned noses in everyone's problems. "I want to help." No you don't. You want to make them do things your way instead of letting them become what they are on their own. Who built Russia? Russians. Who built the USA? The britis..I mean... Americans! Who's building Korea? Maybe... it should be Koreans. Back off! Get your own sandwich!

[@dhotnessmcawesome9747]

@Barbara Mulvaney Thanks.

[@KaladinVegapunk]

The funniest thing about north Korea is they're so used to producing and believing the most basic & chilidsh propaganda (like how they milk that CIA boat from 50 years ago they have) they actually think everyone else is dumb enough to buy it haha Like the officer telling the brothers that BS, the coal smears, or the most ridiculous excuses and stories they try to tell the US or South Koreans diplomatically, or the most shallow and retarded stuff they pull for visitors on the tour, the fake restaurants with zero guests, the empty ski slopes with a few token visitors, and they totally expect people to buy it When propaganda isn't all encompassing the fascists/plutocrats have to try a lot harder, goebells had to repeat the big lies for years til people bought it And while fox news is just as transparent and absurd to anyone with even a basic education or awareness of facts, it still works on a lot of blind religious zealots and ignorant people and they put a lot of effort into pumping that crap out You'd think north Korea would remember the rest of the world isn't as sheltered and clueless as their people are

[@j.a.weishaupt1748]

Geographics Morris’ scripts are always the best!

[@250txc]

How about totally missing General MacArthur part in all this?

[@crispcoffee7958]

“Geopolitics reduced to a metaphorical dong measuring competition” I hope you guys pay these writers well haha

[@ruthjohnson4380]

Adam Scott I like the thought of giving Kim Jung Un a swirly.

[@sforza209]

Hahaha for reals!! Good shit right there!

[@shebbs1]

@@ruthjohnson4380 Maybe that is the origin of Kim Jung Un's haircut: too many swirlies at school in Switzerland.

[@rypdx]

They pay me very well.

[@stevenwebb3634]

Sounds like a Hawkeye joke on M*A*S*H*

[@ellet.lee0452]

Some things Simon failed to mention: 1) You can visit the third tunnel on a tour of the DMZ, up to a certain point before the MDL, of course (there are three barriers before you reach the MDL, you can go up to the first one and look through a hole to the second). The tunnel is actually quite small and if you're not careful you'll bump your head on the low ceiling (they give you helmets to prevent this) 2) They actually had a train cross the DMZ back in 2007 from Kaesong, North Korea, to Dorasan Station in the South. From then on they had trains carrying goods from Kaesong into the South and tourists to the North. Over a million tourists crossed back and forth before the line was closed permanently following the shooting of a South Korean tourist in 2008. 3) At Panmunjom, there is the Joint Security Area (JSA). This is usually the images associated with the DMZ, specifically the blue conference rooms that straddle the MDL (separated by a concrete slab). Until the Axe Murder Incident in 1976, guards from the North and South (in addition to US and UN guards) freely crossed the MDL and could technically travel throughout the JSA, which includes land from both Koreas. 4) The video from Crossing the Border was from the defection of a North Korean soldier who defected using a car, driving it right up to the MDL at the conference rooms in the JSA. The North Korean soldiers pursuing the defector shot rounds across the MDL in violation of the Armistice agreement from 1953. Another crossed the MDL before crossing back. The soldier was severely wounded and had to be dragged to safety by two South Korean troops before being airlifted to a hospital for emergency surgery. He survived.

[@Henry-yf2np]

I’m 6’4. Do you think I could fit in such a tunnel?

[@Newdivide]

As it turns out, the soldier who defected vile the DMZ has parasites in his intestine. Sources say he's also the son of a general

[@podfuk]

Trump, casually walks into DMZ.. DMZ, Am I joke to you?

[@___LC___]

If only he would keep walking around until he stepped on a mine.

[@Mchammershot]

@@___LC___ what a class act you are. The Guy facilitated a gathering of the two Koreas, a feat thought impossible by the previous Administration. Which side is the war mongering again?

[@wk5028]

@@Mchammershot Didn't the two Koreas meet at the Olympics the year before Trump met with them?

[@corgeousgeorge]

Dammit! I misread this and thought it said the Korean TMZ, I was expecting some good gossip about a Korean Kardashian Clan !

[@trollerpilotxiv3079]

Korean Kardashian Klan

[@SFVYachtClub]

One of my favorite memories is of something I saw through a coin-operated telescope in a border observation post on the Southern side that looks over Kijong-dong. It's 40 minutes away from Seoul. Between the fields and clusters of houses, there is a school with a dirt yard. Not so different from the elementary school I went to in the South. There was a dozen and a half kids playing soccer, and a few others hanging around in little gaggles. I panned over past the yard, toward the side wall of the main building. There was a boy playing by himself, kicking a soccer ball against the wall. He wound up for a kick, swung, but his foot slipped just over the top of the ball, flipping him onto his backside, with a comical puff of dust. It was like the newspaper comic part of when the Jewish psychiatry girl humorously deceives the Charlie Brown boy with a football. He got up and dusted himself off. He looked around, and thinking that nobody had seen anything, he went back to kicking his ball, probably already beginning to forget about it. But he could never know- it will probably never occur to him for as long as he lives- that someone saw the whole thing. As the telescope clunked shut and demanded another ₩500, I fell to the floor, laughing like a madman as elderly veterans and separated families stared

[@250txc]

W.E.A.K

[@NenadKralj]

This is amazing

[@justjukka]

Jewish psychiatry girl??

[@dteachout147]

"Once again geopolitics reduced to a metaphorical dong measuring contest." Lols that made my day, I couldn't stop laughing

[@hugosinclair6798]

same, i had to pause to go take a piss

[@abelsoo5465]

They are both Koreans. Dong size won't differ too much.

[@vuffhghunmmhg144]

@@abelsoo5465 what about black Koreans

[@abelsoo5465]

@@vuffhghunmmhg144 A very rare citizen of either Koreas indeed, considering the Korean Peninsula is more than 99% Korean. It's almost as rare as an Inuit/Eskimo/Nenet/Yakut as citizen or resident of an African country. Black people are mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas.

[@emjackson2289]

Vietnamese Dong?

[@kokorolex]

"They lost so hard they lost an empire.." and their national spirit.

[@ryanthompson2893]

Morale of the story, don’t fuck with a country that can and WILL wipe you off the face of the earth.

[@Morsa.B.Alto1]

DMZ: Dong Measuring Zone, lol

[@adampedersen5384]

or as the soldiers call it, dead mands zone

[@skibob6]

This needs to be the #1 comment!

[@olliegueret2963]

Dong in Korean means 'shit'.

[@turnoffurxboxurbad]

Lmao wtf

[@gagemead27]

That's pretty funny. 🤘🏻🤣

[@petergeyer7584]

I had the opportunity to visit Panmunjom in the DMZ back in 2004. The treaty buildings are bisected by the border, and it is possible to cross a few meters into North Korea inside the buildings. However, you are constantly under watch by your escorts (in our case by South Korean soldiers). We were told by an American military escort that these South Korean escorts had two jobs: First, to protect us if any North Koreans tried to grab us. Second, to shoot us if we tried to run across the border into the north (which apparently has actually happened). That was one of the stranger trips I've taken in my life.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:30 - Chapter 1 - A faultline opens 4:35 - Chapter 2 - Putting lines in the sand 7:10 - Chapter 3 - Inside the zone 10:35 - Mid roll ads 11:55 - Chapter 4 - Life in the zone 14:00 - Chapter 5 - Dangerous games 17:00 - Chapter 6 - Crossing the border

[@justjukka]

Thank you!

[@simonjackson7269]

Don't forget that British and Australian troops fought and died in the Korean War!!!

[@gravynolastname3786]

It's not called "the forgotten war" for no reason

[@jasonwilke2246]

And canadians

[@arthas640]

We kinda do need remainders about that. My American textbooks barely mention the UK, Aussies, Kiwis, or other allies in the Korean War and Vietnam War which is kind of crazy since the US only made up about 1/3 of peak soldiers in Korea or Vietnam and while Vietnam was mainly a US lead intervention, Korea was a joint UN force.

[@christopherprimeau7856]

@@arthas640 because that's how Americans are. They think they're superior and they're always the heroes.

[@shrimpflea]

@@christopherprimeau7856 We do...it's in our nature.

[@wieldwords]

Simon: Panmunjom Me: Brando, The King and I and the Catcher in the Rye That Billy Joel, man. He gets you everywhere. In all seriousness, I’ve been devouring the videos from this channel. Absolutely awesome. Thanks, team!

[@dx1450]

Billy Joel: Trouble in the Suez... Me: What happened in the sewers? Is this about the ninja turtles?

[@TheBurg229]

When stationed in Korea, when we went to the DMZ, the roads approaching it all have mine warnings because the rain shifts the mines around. If your car breaks down, you don't go off the road. Also, some soldiers got blown up by land mines in the DMZ that the North planted in my time there. Tense times.

[@robbates3309]

30 odd years ago I served on the dmz, I have a couple more interesting points. The tallest N. Koreans served as guards...few made it to six feet. We on the other hand, had an easy time setting a minimum height of six feet...Lots of fun staring contests The N. Koreans had lots of speakers in that ghost town of theirs, so they could play music for use all night long....so considerate of them. the US camps, where we lived ...could only be described as...the most permanent...temporary facilities I ever experienced in the army. I wonder how that compares to our facilities in Iraq Today? I enjoy your channel keep it up

[@winkleried]

Rob Bates When I was stationed at Camp Liberty Bell, the furthest northernmost camp in the 2nd Division, we used to joke we had the best sound system the North Koreans could buy.........

[@shannonbonnette6720]

"The most permanent temporary facilities..." has to be one of the most precise and eloquent ways to describe the tent cities in Kuwait that I can think of. Where I was stationed in Iraq we had FEMA trailers and concrete buildings. But in Kuwait it was tents. Hardened tents with wood floors and real doors that fit a couple hundred cots if I remember correctly.

[@dangreene9846]

I was stationed at Camp Casey , we went to the DMZ once , it was strange we had to be dressed in our Dress Greens , you were stared at the whole time by North Koreans . And the Ghost Village that the original comment talked about , the village was brightly painted and looked very modern while it played Propaganda over loud speakers.

[@ReflectionEternal2]

Damn, Kim Jong Un looks more like his grandfather than his father

[@___LC___]

Makes you wonder who they mate with

[@arthas640]

@@___LC___ they do have wives but all the Kims keep massive harems of sex slaves, some of which are trained since pre-pubescence to entertain elites in the DPRK and the top girls get reserved for the Kim family (the Pleasure Brigade). it would shock me if there werent a horde of literal Kim bastards around, and it wouldnt surprise me if the leader just picks a few favorite legitimate kids and bastards to be official heirs. I always found it ironic how the 2 biggest complaints from both Koreas and China about Japan is their use of "comfort women" (aka sex slaves) and their use of slave labor during WW2 yet China udner Mao and North Korea under the Kim monarchy both used tons of sex slaves to pleasure the political elites and China and the DPRK both have huge armies of slaves in reeducation camps and factories making goods for export.

[@compsmith007]

Their family tree doesn't fork.

[@phantom0456]

“Unless you’ve been watching this video whilest slipping in and out of consciousness after a night at the pub...” Bless you, Simon. You woke me back up when I heard you say that 😂

[@JeanLucCaptain]

speaking of touchy war-torn spots, the Gaza Strip, do it!

[@micfail2]

The Golan Heights would be a good one too, it's an amazingly strategically strong position to hold

[@JeanLucCaptain]

@@micfail2 Stalingrad, because that river junction is REALLY IMPORTANT.

[@jobdylan5782]

@Aggressive Tubesock Thank you rabbi

[@medina5129]

*this video banned by isreal*

[@davidyoung1625]

What's to know? That Israel commit acts of ethnic cleansing and genocide but when they are critised for it, its being anti semitic

[@woodsie1017]

South Korea- 100m flagpole North Korea- 150m flagpole America- puts flag on the moon

[@sarahcox2957]

I love that you actually covered operation Bunyan! That's one of the historical tidbits that the Army covers during integration when getting stationed in ROK.

[@itscrespoyo9878]

While on Active Duty I spent a total of 7 years of my career forward deployed near the DMZ...WITH my family. Whimsical and childish NK threats and rhetoric aside, I say with utmost confidence that SK has been THE safest place I've ever lived. If ever given the chance I would indeed return. Great educational system, large economic growth potential, an amazing public transportation system, extremely low violence, virtually no drugs or guns (civilians of course), and an unmatched pride amongst it's citizens. To say South Korea has made a positive impression on me is an understatement. Oh, and the food is damn good. Great travel hub too.

[@arthas640]

agreed. South Korea, despite its small size, would probably more difficult to invade then Israel or Switzerland (both smallish countries eternally prepared for invasion).

[@formerprofessionalDaddyto6]

@10:18 gleefully added to the list of things I never thought I would hear while enjoying this channel

[@davidsimmons4731]

I've actually been to the dmz. Was stationed in Korea back in 2004 and it is unreal. You have to see it for yourself to truly believe it.

[@roquri]

Was there in 95. If something was going to happen, that was the most likely time frame. It was rather scary.

[@bobjackson4720]

I was in Korea recently, the DMZ (a major tourist attraction) is currently off limits due to concerns about swine fever.

[@ElsieDreamWorld]

I had been remembering about a book in my father’s library, I think it was called “the truth about the Korean War”, and that I had never gotten to read it. This documentary comes just in time to answer many questions in my mind. Thank you for such a thorough explanation.

[@Paddyboro]

Loving this series and Business Blaze, props to ya Simon.

[@dorrienvenables3057]

I didn't know about Business Blaze, sho another channel presented by Simon

[@JohnWhite-up9gg]

"Give Kim Jung Un a swirly." Hahahahahahahaha!!

[@thecrew1871]

I like this channel as well as Biographics! Please keep it up. Thankyou!

[@arielrichmond1238]

I get soooo excited when I see a new video from any of these channels

[@Genghis-Jon]

I stayed in the DMZ for two nights a couple years ago. In addition to it being a legitimately beautiful place, it also has the best drinking water I've ever had.

[@sforza209]

Wow! This is the first time I heard a Brit say “ZEE”! Amazing!!

[@geographicstravel]

Dee em zed just sounds too weird.

[@gx8fif]

@@geographicstravel ...but that *is* how we would say it! It sounds just as weird hearing a fellow Briton speaking American.

[@sahhull]

It's just a case of dumbing the English language down into American English

[@dannahbanana11235]

@Dick Johnson Only appropriate that Dick Johnson is the expert on asinine 😂

[@usonumabeach300]

@@sahhull it's not like we have more native English speakers in our country than all other countries combined or anything. Or the fact that literally every other dialect/accent can understand more of us than their own fellow countrymen, aside from maybe Canadians. We might have maybe 7 distinct accents... But how many accents from within England alone, Hell London alone, that are nigh on unintelligible to other English-English? Aren't there more distinct accents within London alone than there are in the rest of the native English speaking countries combined? Ireland, Scotland, Canada, US, Belize, Isle of Man, Wales, and New Zealand? Maybe a couple Caribbean nations?

[@Arcvde]

Your videos and the way you do them is 100% ideal information delivery for me. Can’t get enough!

[@INTERLOPER-CS]

I LOVE that you mentioned the tunnels!

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

Simon Whistler.. "the man who hosts over a thousand FANTASTIC KZbin channels"

[@corgeousgeorge]

I'm convinced Simon is a hologram at this point as there cannot be enough time in the day to make so much content over all these channels. I mean even if he does everything in one take it's not feasible LOL.

[@geographicstravel]

Robot sent from the future dude. Like a terminator, but for making videos

[@danielcreed33]

This is my favorite channel on KZbin! Good job, my friend!

[@jordanvannortwick9426]

Such excellently produced videos. Very engaging and informative.

[@rodhigh7]

About 30 years ago I took a tour to the DMZ organized by a women's group from the American Embassy.The high light of the tour was the building where the peace talks took place. The building straddled the North South border which means if you walked to the north end of the building, you were actually in North Korea ! My 106th country visited !

[@juliant43]

How about spending a 14 month tour there

[@chrisbibber6199]

If I am not mistaken. The building where the Armistice of 1953 was signed is a short distance away from the "blue" building that sits on the actual border, that you see in tourist videos.

[@winkleried]

juliant43 20 months in my case due to movement being stopped due to Desert Storm/Shield. We were told at the time that the only way we were leaving Korea was if we had orders to the 82nd Airborne, the 101st Airborne or the Ranger Regiment.

[@welfiblablabla]

We visited Korea in April and did a tour to the DMZ, an Outpost and the 3rd Tunnel (sadly due to unstable relations at that moment the UN didn't let tourists to Panmunjoem at the time of our visit). But it was quite interessting, although it didn't feel threatening. But for me the most interessting fact is that a lot the Koreans we talked to say that North and South Korea is one country and refered to the north koreans as their "northern brothers". And they still really seem to wish to be reunited

[@brianeleighton]

Then you were clueless. Literally less than a year before you visited North and South Korea had exchanged artillery fire. You know why you were not allowed to go to Panmunjeom? Because they were on the verge of war at the time. There has not been a peace treaty and things pop off there fairly regularly. When I was stationed there in the 2nd Infantry Division, we were not allowed to go more than an hour from base at any time unless we had a pass. The reason? Because we had to be ready for war at all times. It is scary as hell there.

[@joeevora1674]

How do you not have more subscribers!?!? I love all your content! Thank you Simon!!

[@nighthawknina86]

now i have "we didn't start the fire" stuck in my head

[@grapeshot]

I had three great uncles who fought in the Korean War.Two on my dad's side of the family and one on my mom's side of the family. The one on my mom's side of the family live right down the street from me when I was growing up. He served in the 24th Infantry Regimental Combat Team 25th Infantry Division. One of my great-uncle on my dad's side of the family, he was a Montford Point Marine. He landed at Inchon, fought in the Battle of Soul and was at the Chosin Reservoir.

[@brianeleighton]

My grand-uncle was in Task Force Smith. He told me about it when I was like 12. Unfortunately, I did not realize the significance of his service until I got stationed there with the 2nd Infantry Division. By that time, he had already died. He didn't really say much about it other than he had to survive the POW camp.

[@stephenwright8824]

"Retreating, hell! WE'RE JUST ADVANCING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION." - General Chesty Puller USMC, after Inchon.

[@joseantoniolago5857]

Well at least the animals gain something out of this one.

[@robinderoos1166]

Untill we decide to lay waste to it! Humanity fuck yeah!

[@cw3526]

How do they avoid all those land mines

[@rustbucket1728]

@@cw3526 what do you mean avoid them? Where do you think the North Koreans are getting their protein from?

[@CharlesUrban]

@blackzed If we stopped listening to our instincts and exercised our capacity for long-term thinking, we could do the nature thing _without_ going extinct.

[@joepotter1915]

Untill they step on a land mine

[@bhattacharya_arnab_1999]

I started viewing your some of you videos recently, they are really interesting and great!! They are soo informative!!👌🏻👌🏻 Getting to know, so many things about and on the world..

[@savagehenry4694]

Brilliant as always

[@johnhorsburgh8473]

10:18 smartly inserted pun there hahaha

[@joshuaott7783]

I friggin love this channel so much!

[@nathannavachenja3513]

The oratory skills are top notch love the work you put in the research

[@gregkamer3754]

I took a tour of the DMZ back in '84 when I was stationed in S. Korea. Had to travel in uniform and sign a waiver holding the US and S. Korean governments not responsible for any injury or death resulting from my visit. A pretty sobering experience to say the least.

[@angusyates828]

Same in 2001 when I was there.

[@meganlukes6679]

Now I want to give Kim Jong Un a swirly.

[@jamesheal8157]

Somehow I missed the mention of the fact that it wasn't just the USA supporting the South. It was a UN action beginning in 1950 and plenty of troops from other nations participated.

[@TKettle]

US forces accounted for over 90% of non-Korean losses. US forces also account for 90% of troops sent. If other UN countries committed as much as the US did, AND STILL IS, maybe it'd be a large enough point worth mentioning.

[@jamesheal8157]

@@TKettle Fair enough but legally, and in reality, it was a UN action, not a USA action. There is a point to be made. Kinda like the conflict in Vietnam was not a "war" but a policing action. The distinctions make a difference. Let's not pretend being the dominant force in a region doesn't come with perks as well. It's not sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice. Also by stating it was the USA only, there are many acts of other countries forgotten, like when Canadian troops made great sacrifices to help the US troops get out when the Chinese flood came.

[@mcdon2401]

@@TKettle, it's a point worth mentioning to those who served over there. It does a disservice to everyone when we omit details, even if it is by accident.

[@shrimpflea]

@@TKettle If they lost one life it was worth mentioning.

[@illkaw]

"300 troops, guarded by attack helicopters marched into the DMZ while fighter jets and B-52 bombers droned overhead" "There the soldiers calmly, methodically, chopped the poplar tree only leaving a stump." *"This time the north Koreans, Didn't intervene" Would you?

[@keeferheydude]

Hi . The U S did fight as a party in the UNC (United Nations Command). The rest were from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Greece, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Phillipines, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom. LEST WE FORGET. My father Served in that war as a US Marine and fought shoulder to shoulder with his brothers from the UNC..

[@EshAngel09]

About 5yrs ago, I visited the DMZ on travels with a friend. We found the story of each country building a higher flagpole absolutely hilarious!!!!

[@tacklecentralfishing1051]

1:43 you know this quote: "Easter Island Head : You new Dum-dum. You give me gum-gum"

[@codidevlugt2153]

Love this channel, and Biographics as well. India/Pakistan border sometime in the near future?

[@muramasa1984]

"Reluctantly backed by" I LoLed so hard

[@anugroho1174]

"Dong measuring contest." Okay you got me. I'll subscribe.

[@imasiontist653]

I've been to the joint security area within the DMZ, it was nearly exactly 2 years ago now. I went into the buildings and about a meter across the North Korean border (so I've technically been into North Korea). We couldn't point or laugh or show too many emotions or weird movements because North Korea was recording us and could use it as propaganda. We were also limited as to what we could take pictures of, but I do have pictures of me in North Korea. We also saw some North Korean towns while we were driving there, as well as the two flags but weren't allowed to take pictures at that point. Within the DMZ we were only allowed to take pictures at the joint security area, no where else. Was a very interesting tour; learning about the war and seeing North Korea.

[@smileysatanson3404]

Love how Simon just naturally slide in humour, like the time he described Stalin as a and i quote "another mustached walrus had set his eyes on the island" in the vid about the Tsar Bomba

[@bim-ska-la-bim4433]

Love your channels. 👍

[@multiversalaudiobooks9943]

16:07 I feel like that whole scenario is playing out again, but with nukes and whatnot

[@marilynguinnane4663]

The Dad Joke Guy --- Naw. Wont happen.

[@markshort9098]

Look up mutual assured destruction if you think anyone will use nukes

[@izzyxblades]

"dong measuring contest" 🤣🤣🤣

[@rickd1412]

Interesting video. I always wondered about the area where the DMZ meets the ocean. Is there a fence on the shore across the width of the DMZ ?

[@WabiSabi248]

This was wonderful

[@kingjames4886]

if you ever get caught in the DMZ, just pretend you're a kimchi delivery man/woman.

[@Dangic23]

I've been to the DMZ....very cool experience. Also went inside the blue building and crossed the North Korea line while still inside the building.

[@grinch5885]

Love the way Simon says "Wire" ... Simon: Barbed Wiiiire!

[@YazzPott]

I love when he say “Power” too, Powah. So dramatic and beautiful ahaha

[@bobstewart8032]

My Step-Grandfather's younger brother was killed in The Korean War (Conflict) by a sniper. He was only 19 and was killed within 3 weeks after arriving in Korea. My Step-Grandfather was a WWII Combat Wounded Veteran. I hope they leave the wildlife there. Animals are innocent victims of man's inhumanity against man. They deserve to live free.

[@dmeads5663]

Always remember that Luxembourg sent its entire army to the Korean War.

[@CptMoroni35]

As a US Army Sergeant who was stationed in South Korea (2002-2003), believe me, Simon.....you barely scratched the surface of the insane crap that happens near the DMZ. And you wouldn’t believe the actual defection I witnessed first hand while on a (mandatory) visit to Panmunjom......

[@AtheistOrphan]

Charlie Hartness - True. I’ve just been reading about the American soldiers who defected to the DPRK. A fascinating but disturbing story!

[@robmcclure5313]

Where else can you find a channel video where the phrase "Geopolitics reduced to a metaphorical dong measuring contest," gets mentioned. Thank you Mr. Whistler for making me laugh out loud BEFORE my first cup of coffee this morning!

[@zarasbazaar]

It was interesting to hear the pre-Korean War events that led to the establishment of the DMZ. Many histories skip that part.

[@billyruben6540]

I'd love it if Simon could teach us about Liberia.

[@fireforger9192]

Simon enjoyed this video, but please remember that the Korean War was not just the Americans supporting the South Koreans. How about the rest of the UN Forces UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey etc. etc. that were involved. Otherwise interesting video never fails to keep me interested.

[@greekre]

has nothing to do about this topic

[@daver6699]

Sixteen UN nations supplied fighting units and five sent military hospitals and field ambulances. Australia was one of the very first to contribute military personnel from all three services. The single largest UN contributor was the United States of America (USA) which at one stage had 140,000 personnel deployed in direct combat roles in Korea. Great Britain, Canada, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Colombia, Ethiopia, South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, Greece, Thailand, Philippines and Luxembourg sent fighting units. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, India, Italy contributed military hospitals and field ambulances to the cause.

[@pajo103]

@@greekre its does with Simon back story he mentioned the Chinese troops so just mention the United nations instead of saying America

[@greekre]

@@pajo103 gurl why you bothering me about sonething over a year old

[@pajo103]

@@greekre gurl time waits for nobody

[@jbrown7403]

Visited the DMZ back in 1989. It was absolutely fascinating!

[@kkloikok]

With all those land mines I'm not surprised that wildlife exploded in the DMZ

[@MisterWileyOne]

"Dashlane will protect you from all kinds of dongs." You don't have to thank me Simon.

[@paulleader7000]

"there aint nothing D about that MZ" hahahaha

[@halonothing1]

Yeah, it makes about as much sense as the official name of North Korea. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

[@JeanLucCaptain]

yaaaaa, the name is a bit misleading,

[@jamesheal8157]

@@halonothing1 Whenever you see people's republic it is a dead giveaway they're communist. PROC for example. Note that Taiwan refers to the ROC, not the PROC very interesting

[@alexkim3794]

Well it use to be, until the tree cutting incident.

[@jamesheal8157]

@@halonothing1 I think every communist country does something similar. People's Republic of China etc

[@davidfrederick6003]

"Dong measuring contest" sounds like m Rose's line in Titanic "what is this preoccupation with size, is it lack of?"

[@jordanwilliams9300]

This was a very good one.

[@Nick-hm2dm]

If you have a chance to visit the DMZ, I highly recommend it. It’s a very strange and surreal experience. Especially when you get to stand on the N. Korean side of building T1.

[@mikeharris50]

About that tower that holds the north Korean flag. The flag is so large if it rains they cannot fly it because it is to heavy. Also the North Koreans do not trust their own people to tour the compound. They have professional tourists. I was told this when I toured the compound and we were asked to leave because the North Koreans had their own tourists waiting. The Army sergeant who was leading us stated that he had personally seen these same people tour the compound multiple times. Another interesting truth is look at a satellite picture of the Korean peninsula taken at light. Its hard not to laugh.

[@___LC___]

The darkness in North Korea is a bit sad. I can’t imagine being trapped in that hell hole, but surely they sleep well without electricity. It’s like the old days when you went to bed when you could no longer see your work.

[@arthas640]

te funny thing is the DPRK also force people to visit some of their national landmarks to make them seem super popular.

[@johnnyscott3698]

That nudge about viewing after a night on the pub is too on point

[@MainVane]

Three years later, nope it's still there and little Korean man is still throwing around empty threats

[@MGodfrey]

anybody else noticed that the last couple videos have had strange little editing mishaps? like the sound/glitch right near the start of this video?

[@finnyliverpool89]

Too many channels - less editorial process

[@medina5129]

2nd channel for double income pretty much.

[@ninogaggi]

Yo! Where my fellow North Koreans at? Oh. Sorry

[@arthas640]

i think most of them are hanging around unmarked mass graves or off camping in their fancy "reeducation camps". I hear they're trendy hotspots for most north koreans.

[@onemorechris]

4:57 tiny chairs is a quite brilliant tactic 🪑

[@Eagle6676]

One thing about the DMZ is the tension in the air. When I was in the Marines we actually got to take a tour that led all the way up to the border proper. You remember seeing those pictures with the baby blue houses? I've been there. We actually saw a couple of officers watching us with binos like we were some kind of raiding party. We got to go into one of the buildings that was half on one side of the border and half in North Korea, every single one of us in the group walked about 15 feet into the "North". It was an.... expirence

[@jamesbartow3928]

Hey Simon, on Biographics could you please do a video on Park Chung-Hee? He’s the president of South Korea that the North Koreans tried to assassinate in this video. His life is really interesting, and I think it’d make a really great video! Thanks for all your hard work! Your videos are my favorites on all of KZbin!!!

[@MrKowczan]

I have a reflex to immediately turn off videos after hearing “dashlane” only then I realised I watched just a half of the video

[@kimberlyxiloveu]

Dennis Alexander why?

[@greekre]

me too, but I'm stoned so it tripped me out

[@sassy3673]

I just love the story of that tree could listen to that stiry all day long