Goseong Unification Observatory

The Korean Demilitarized Zone is 4km wide and runs 250km across the entire Korean Peninsula.  Most well known is the western end of the DMZ near Panmunjeom and the Joint Security Area - this is where the Korean War Armistice Agreement of 27 July 1953 was signed. 

Hwajinpo Beach (I think)

Beaches a few km from the DMZ

However, a quieter and arguably more solemn experience of the DMZ is the approach to the Goseong Unification Observatory on the east coast.  

Tank traps

The area around Sokcho (the closest nearby city) and Goseong was part of North Korea from 1945 until 1953.   

Empty road to Goseong

These days it is a fairly quiet stretch of coastline.  Now almost deserted highways were built for a time when South Korean tourists could travel to North Korea to visit the holiday resort of Kumgangsan (Mt Kumgang).  On a clear day, Kumgangsan can be seen from the Goseong Unification Observatory.  These tours were suspended by South Korea in 2008 when a South Korean tourist was shot and killed by a North Korean soldier.

Goseong Unification Observatory

The Observatory also has a number of large religious statues and symbols of unification, all of which face north.

Coastline within the DMZ and beyond to DPRK