WALKING THE DMZ: EXPLORING SOUTH KOREA’S JOURNEY FROM CONFLICT TO INNOVATION

By Ahmad Syabil Sultan Noordin Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Walking along a quiet trail near one of the world’s most heavily fortified borders, it is hard to imagine that this calm landscape once stood at the centre of a devastating conflict.

Yet this was one of many contrasting experiences encountered by foreign journalists participating in the Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry’s (MCST) International Journalist Invitation Programme in South Korea recently.

The programme offered journalists an opportunity to explore the country beyond headlines, blending policy briefings, cultural immersion, security perspectives and industrial innovation into a single journey.

It began at the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) Centre, an institution under MCST tasked with promoting Korean culture and facilitating accurate international reporting, where journalists were introduced to South Korea’s approach to public diplomacy and its emphasis on transparent engagement with foreign media.

That engagement extended to discussions at the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses (KIDA) in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, where the key defence think tank provided context on regional security challenges and inter-Korean relations.

While the analyses were strategic in nature, they repeatedly returned to a central message that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula remain long-term national aspirations.

The emotional core of the programme unfolded during the journey to Goseong, located near the eastern section of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), approximately two-and-a-half hours drive from Seoul.

At the Goseong DMZ Peace Trail, journalists walked a one-hour route from the Coastal Observatory, through the Tongjeon Tunnel, to the Southern Limit Line, where the serenity of the surrounding nature sharply contrasted with the area’s wartime history.

The silence along the trail invited reflection on both past conflicts and the fragile peace that exists today.

From the Goseong Unification Observatory, participants looked across the border into North Korea.

For many, it was a sobering moment, transforming abstract geopolitical issues into a tangible, human reality.

The historical narrative continued at the Goseong DMZ Museum, where a guided docent-led tour highlighted the Korean War’s lasting legacy. Exhibits featuring personal stories and artefacts underscored how the division has shaped generations on both sides of the border.

Stretching about 250 kilometres across the Korean Peninsula, the DMZ is one of the most tightly guarded borders in the world, separating North Korea and South Korea.

Although created in 1953 after the Korean War armistice to prevent further fighting, the DMZ remains heavily militarised on both sides.

Since the war ended with a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty, the DMZ endures as a stark reminder that the Koreas are technically still at war. Over the decades, the zone has witnessed military standoffs and brief confrontations, reflecting a peace that remains fragile and uncertain.

For many Koreans, the DMZ is deeply personal, having divided families overnight and left parents, siblings, and children on opposite sides. Today, elderly survivors still speak of loved ones they never saw again, preserving faded photographs and memories as quiet reminders of all that was lost.

With little development allowed, nature has reclaimed the land, where forests and wetlands flourish abundantly. Rare birds and endangered animals now roam freely, turning the DMZ into an unexpected sanctuary shaped by decades of separation.

Now partially open to controlled tourism, the DMZ draws visitors from around the world. Behind fences and watchtowers lies a powerful story of pain, endurance, and hope, reminding visitors that peace, when it comes, is not only a political goal but a deeply human one.

Beyond history and security, the programme also highlighted South Korea’s technological and industrial capabilities. Visits to leading companies showcased the country’s role as a global player in defence, aerospace and heavy industries.

At Hanwha Ocean in Geoje, journalists observed advanced shipbuilding processes, while visits to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, Hyundai Rotem and Hanwha Aerospace in Changwon, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, and LIG Nex1 in Gumi provided insight into innovation driven by skilled local talent.

What resonated most during these visits were conversations with engineers and industry professionals, many of whom spoke of contributing not only to national defence but also to technological progress and international cooperation.

As the programme drew to a close, it became evident that the MCST initiative was designed to offer more than information. It provided context, perspective and human connection elements essential for meaningful international reporting.

For participating journalists, the experience reinforced the understanding that South Korea’s story is one of contrasts: tradition and modernity, division and hope, security concerns and innovation – all coexisting within a nation continuing to shape its place on the global stage.

-- BERNAMA