National Route 48 started at Sejong-ro, Seoul, is connected with Ganghwa. If you drive along the route, you can see a sign that guides you to Gangwha Peace Observation Deck. The Observation Deck is located on the northernmost region in Yangsa-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. On the Observation Deck, the living environment of North Koreans can be glimpsed on the nearest point the over a river about 2 km from South Korea.
“The living environment of North Koreans can be glimpsed on the nearest point the over a river about 2 km from South Korea.”
The Observation Desk begun to be built at the end of 2006, and was opened in September 2008. It is put on the Civilian Control Line that prohibited access because this region is a military zone. However, since 2008, the access has been allowed to visitors who head forward the Observation Deck. Anyone who wants to permit accessibility to the Observation Deck should be required to present a valid photo ID card to check identification.
The bulding has four floors and underground one floor. The visitors cannot be vanned to enter to underground first floor and forth floor because they are military facilities. On the first floor, there are facilities, such as Reunification Hope Center, Souvenir shop and Lounge & Cafeteria. The second floor has Exhibition hall that show the meaningful materials on the history of Korean war and the division of both Koreas. The Observation deck located on the second and third floor has some telescopes to observe North Korea clearly.
On the Observation Deck, you can see the two kinds of views. As the ecosystem is preserved well, one is comprised of a big stream that the Han and Yeoseong rivers meet, wetlands in the confluence with rivers and West Sea, a habitat for migratory birds, and a green-colored land over the river. In other point, the other is the realities of the division in the Korean peninsula can be seen by military facilities, soldiers and Red-colored Catchphrase of North Korea. The views co-exist with the beautifulness of Ecosystem and fears of war in a divided country.
“The views co-exist with the beautifulness of Ecosystem and fears of war in a divided country.”
The Gangwha Peace Observation Deck has a many Korean’s wish to keep the beautifulness and eliminate darkness of fears of the division as the symbol of Peace and Reunification. If you feel the wish and want to see these views, you head for the northern Ganghwa. If you want to get more information, you visit to a page of Korean tourism Organization (http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr).
