Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes us south from Pyongyang along the almost deserted highway down to the Korean DMZ. We explore the buildings where the armistice was signed before heading to the border buildings to look across to the other side. From there we return out of the DMZ heading into the old capital city of Korea, Kaesong. There we visit a local Confucian temple before heading back to Pyongyang. There we visit a local shopping centre and walk along the new science precinct.
Today's Journey
 |
We depart Pyongyang in the early morning passing under the reunification monument to follow the reunification highway southwards towards the border. This very wide highway has been built to accommodate all the traffic coming up from South Korea, but this has never happened. |
 |
We enter the room where the armistice was signed in 1953, where the two Koreas agreed in a ceasefire. Technically the two Koreas have still been at war ever since even though no shots have been fired. |
 |
South Korea's copy of the armistice agreement. North Korea's copy is on another table in this room. |
 |
From the buildings we walk a short distance to another building overlooking the three blue buildings where the two sides meet when needed. South Korea is very quiet today with the distinct absence of American soldiers usually patrolling the area. Looking beyond the buildings we can see into the outer suburbs of Seoul. |
 |
From the DMZ, we head back a few kilometres into Kaesong passing the Kaesong Industrial Estate where managers from South Korea used to work with the workers from North Korea. We continue into the city to visit the Seonggyngwan Confucius Museum and university. This was built perhaps a thousand years ago when Kaesong was the capital of the Korean Peninsula, and amazingly this survived the bombing of the Korean war. |
 |
Exploring part of the temple at Seonggyungwan, at a replica stone tomb. |
 |
We head into the middle of Kaesong where we have a very nice lunch including dog soup. |
 |
From Kaesong, we head back to Pyongyang, three hours later seeing the city appearing in the distance. |
 |
We spend the evening exploring the New Scientist's Street. All these buildings were built in a year. Most of the apartments remain empty with very few lights on (except those lighting the outside walls). This street is intended as Pyongyang's silicon valley. |
 |
One of the impressive buildings of the New Scientists Street, a nod to the country's future as perhaps it catches up with the rest of the world. I am glad to have seen the hermit kingdom whilst it is still 70 years behind the rest of the world. |
|
