The demilitarized zone, or DMZ, has bisected the Korean Peninsula since 1953. Today, it’s considered one of the most heavily armed borders in the world, serving as a buffer zone for a fragile cold war between North and South Korea. But this doesn’t stop more than 1.2 million tourists from visiting each year, according to the Korean Tourism Organization. The DMZ is both a refuge for endangered species, like the red-crowned crane, and a home for a resilient bunch of long-time Korean residents. Explore the history and present-day reality of life along the DMZ: for the resident, for the visitor, for flora and for fauna. Learn about the history of the border and the unexpected sights and attractions that the DMZ has to offer — art museums, restaurants and cultural villages. And discover the unintended consequence of 65 years without human development as we follow researchers monitoring the growing numbers of rare crane species.
