What It's Like Visiting the North Korea Border (DMZ Tour)

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea is one of the most notorious borders in the world. With tensions between the two countries continuously very high, this border can be dangerous. Despite this, joining a tour and visiting the DMZ is something we could not miss during our time in Korea. It is so important to us that we learn both the history and the ongoing issues that North Korea and South Korea face, both individually as countries and together as countries who share a boarder, a history, and a people.
You cannot visit the DMZ without joining a tour who escorts you through the military checkpoint and walks through the DMZ area with you. Despite the environment being lush and beautiful, it's hard to forget you are at a contentious border because of all the barbed wire, military presence, and security cameras at every turn. Learning about the history of North and South Korea is the goal of the tour groups, and we learned so much from out tour guide.
The Korean Peninsula was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 until Japan's defeat in World War II in 1945. After Japan's surrender, the peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel into two zones of occupation: the Soviet-controlled North and the American-controlled South. This division led to the establishment of two separate governments, each claiming to be the legitimate authority over the entire peninsula. In 1950, North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea, leading to the Korean War. The war ended in 1953 with a ceasefire.
Our tour's main message was one of peace. South Korea is eager to see peace restored between the two nations. Part of this is because many South Koreans have loved ones in North Korea who are unable to leave, and South Koreans are not able to go in.
The first stop on our tour was to Imjingak Park. This is a Park in South Korea that has been created as a place of memorial. It serves as a place of respect for those who died during the Korean war, but also as a place that people can go to grieve and mourn their family and friends who are on the other side of the border, and therefore completely out of reach.
Next, we went to the Third Infiltration Tunnel to get as close as possible to North Korea without actually entering the country. These tunnels were actually dug from North Korea to South Korea, but were found by South Korea before the tunnels reached beyond the DMZ. Being underground and getting this close to North Korea was an experience we never thought we'd have!
The last stop of the day was the Dora Observatory. From here, we can actually see North Korea with our bare eyes. We found it really hard to grasp just how different life is for people on the other side of the border.
Our whole trip to the DMZ taught us so much more about North and South Korea, and the heartbreak that continues to happen here. It was a bit of a sad experience, but travel isn't always happy and joyful. We felt like our visit to Korea would not be complete without seeing the DMZ to understand this country's past and present, and we are so glad we went.
If you enjoy our videos and want to give us an extra special thank you, we would love to have you become a channel member! Check out the perks here kzbin.info...
If you choose to support us in this way, THANK YOU so much!
Planning a trip? Check out our packing video to see what we pack for long-term travel: • What to Pack for Trave...
SafetyWing is our favourite travel insurance provider (including health insurance): tinyurl.com/2p87ewbr
Wise is our travel debit/credit card: -
wise.prf.hn/l/OqnMl4Z
Credits:
Daugilas, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Edward N. Johnson, CC BY-SA 3.0 www.flickr.com/photos/imcomko..., via flickr
Want to work with us? Email: [e-mail]
== Connect with us! ==
♥ Instagram: @nicoleandmico_
♥ Website: www.nicoleandmico.com
♥ Email: [e-mail]
== OUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL GEAR ==
+ Matador soap bar case: amzn.to/3S9JheW
+ Travel Adapter (Universal): amzn.to/3HEwqL3
+ Makeup Remover Cloth (Erase-Your-Face): amzn.to/47lUP3a
+ Solid shampoo and conditioner: amzn.to/3T
+ HeroClip Carabiner: amzn.to/3itXX5Z
+ Ex-Officio Underwear: amzn.to/47rT7NF
+ Toiletry kit: amzn.to/41T51z8
+ Vessi Everyday Classic sneakers: crrnt.app/VESSI/pgldkja7
Our FULL Packing List: nicoleandmico.com/our-packing...
*Some of the links above are affiliate links and we may get a small commission at no cost to you if you choose to use a link to purchase a product!
== Chapters ==
0:00 DMZ tours are only possible with a tour
0:47 Imjingak Park for grieving and carnival rides?
3:41 We can go inside the infiltration tunnels!
6:06 Don't do this on a rainy day
7:34 Sights of North Korea

[@anthonylagunas6737]

I never went on the tour. Back when the US Army had a sector of the DMZ to patrol, I was stationed at Camp Liberty Bell. The closest camp to N. Korea. We patrolled in the winter. We had to memorize the rout to the south thru the mine field. But we knew we would not make it out. The mountains are granite, they have artillery that can reach Seoul.

[@MrWhiterunGuard]

Your travel videos are way more interesting than other channels, like other people just review flight, foods, hotels or beaches.

[@nicoleandmico]

Happy to hear that you enjoy them so much! We do our best to keep our content as varied as possible 😊

[@trippinwithscottyp1329]

When I was stationed there in 91 in the Army, we were stationed around Camp Casey. We went on a special tour, and it included going down to where they did the piece talks and in the room we were able to cross the line and got to stand in North Korea while N Korean soldiers looked through the widow at you while you were in there.

[@AlexSunna]

Awesome video guys

[@theworldandalex]

Awesome video 🤩 Really appreciate how you explain what it’s like 👍🏻

[@nicoleandmico]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@MalinaCC]

Such an interesting area with the mix of different activities and areas so close together. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@nicoleandmico]

Our pleasure! Thanks so much 😁

[@douglaspalmer7451]

I was stationed at the dmz in 1967 during the secret second korean war 1966 to 1969 . Camp liberty bell attack on the 28th August 1967 five Kia and twenty right wounded . It is beyond me that they visit the dmz like this we were always under small arms fire as occasional bullets zipping by . Unbelievable

[@eidorian101]

As someone who actually went to the North Korean side before the American travel ban, it’s amazing how strict it is on the south with photography at the DMZ. The North Korean side will typically let you take photos of anything at the DMZ.

[@veetour]

I appreciate that you have a mixture of activities in your travels. This one today is quite sad knowing that families are still divided by this border, and the way of life is so drastically different depending on which side you’re living on. I think your travels can teach people the highs and lows of humanity, the beautiful and not so beautiful parts of the world, and the history and culture of people. Overall, this is what makes travelling so special. It’s a journey that changes you in a positive way, to be more reflective, balanced, compassionate and wise.

[@nicoleandmico]

We totally agree that traveling has so much potential for learning. We love it so much for the knowledge we gain every day that we get to explore a new place. Thank you for pointing out how valuable sharing this can be 😊

[@MattLaurie]

great video guys :) loved it!

[@nicoleandmico]

Thanks you guys! Hope you’re travels are going great as well 😊

[@donnawilson5514]

On our bucket list!

[@nicoleandmico]

Awesome!

[@charlesbrenan6269]

I went on your trip in July 22 and to a different observation point (2nd Infiltration Tunnel) a couple of weeks ago (29th March 24). Think your trip gets closer to the action as it's actually in the DMZ. I may have remembered incorrectly but that large town in NK (Kaesadong?) is reputedly uninhabited and there are never any lights at night. Great to see again through your vlog - very memorable and thought provoking trip. Many thanks.

[@nicoleandmico]

So glad we could help you reminisce about your own trip to the DMZ. We took a lot away from our visit and it sounds like you did as well!

[@J_Teriyaki]

👍 I'm in Miri (Borneo island) Malaysia heading to the DMZ on my 4 month Australia to Japan holiday. Someone gave me the impression that a North Korean beer was a possibility? Cheers🍺

[@user-eh4ng1yj8z]

Hi Mico and Nicole ...it's Martin from Bristol...I asked you a load of questions on your live broadcast a while ago.( Good surfer Mico ) As another person here said . I think you two are really different to most in you tube...very varied content both lots of fun...to serious ...like today.....thankyou! Hope you have a great day wherever you are now ! Ha

[@nicoleandmico]

Thanks so much Martin! We really appreciate hearing that as we work hard to shake up our content and keep it interesting for those who watch lots of our videos 😀😊

[@TheRodsAbroad]

Do you mind sharing which tour company you went with? So far I can only find tours that make you leave and the butt crack of dawn lol

[@shanesk888]

Great video! I've heard that they keep your passport when you're in the DMZ, is this true?

[@Seantravel81]

영상이 아름다워요 구독~~😊

[@nicoleandmico]

영상이 아름다워요 구독~~😊

[@seank7056]

Is DMZ open to tourists now? As a Chinese, I want to travel, but North Korea has not opened up yet. I would like to ask if Panmunjom on the South Korean side is open for visits.

[@darrendayton288]

I did the DMZ tour twice, once in winter and another in summer both uniquely beautiful. Do they still offer the Blue House tour? You can cross the border into North Korea

[@annorabelle]

i think it might still be closed because of the Travis King issue.

[@TheDarkfuneral07]

How to get this bus tour? Thank you

[@jonmasselink4214]

Did you learn about the 50,000 plus Canadian soldiers who served there?

[@AlexSunna]

Is the tour child friendly?

[@alexmelendez5404]

AMAZING VIDEO!!!!!! Would you recommend the group tour? It looks like there are more expensive private tours as well. Worth it?

[@nicoleandmico]

Yes, definitely! The group tour was awesome and the guide was so good. Absolutely enjoyed it 😄

[@alexmelendez5404]

@@nicoleandmico Thank you! I just booked my trip and tour for the end of this year

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Kim jung un country. South Vietnam was invaded by North. It failed to repel communism. But glad south Korea can defend the border well

[@johnnybui2058]

vietnam was invaded by the US and it successfully repelled imperialism.

[@tapantanchangya9339]

❤

[@nicoleandmico]

Thanks for watching!

[@camillesamonte9350]

where did you book the tour?

[@nicoleandmico]

Hey there we booked it through Klook online. It was pretty easy and the tour was great!

[@samikay6290]

How much did u pay for the tour and what tour company was it. ?

[@nicoleandmico]

We used Klook to make the booking! I honestly don't remember the price but it may have changed so we suggest checking the app for the current price :)

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Awesome! I've always been fascinated by North Korea.

[@nicoleandmico]

Sounds like a visit to the DMZ may be in your future!

[@Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

@@nicoleandmico Boy I wish.

[@rustyspoon4911]

Humans have a border it's called space

[@jajjajj3]

Hey Nicole and Mico, Think about this. It is probably correct to assume that the majority of people watching this are from the U.S., and the U.S. we don't use the metric system so when you refer to meters and kilometers it is hard to comprehend. If you're going to go to the trouble of making videos like this, why don't you consider converting these measurements to the U.S. standard? I personally refuse to convert.

[@nicoleandmico]

We’re Canadians and we use the metric system (most of the time) and so does most of the world but thanks for the suggestion. I’m curious why anyone would refuse to convert though?

[@josocalify]

​@nicoleandmico I'm from the US and I don't mind that you use the metric system.