The armistice ending the Korean war
was signed here on July 27, 1953. The final negotiations and signing were held in this building which the North built at its own expense in only 4 days (they told us this… Continue reading
Monthly Archive: October, 2012
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The DMZ is only 4 km wide
Over there is the South Korean flag. Don’t be mistaken though: it’s really territory occupied by the US, who disguise their presence behind South Korean appearances.
Brrr! Entering the DMZ
We all turn very serious to start the drive through the DMZ to its middle point. The front seat next to the driver will be occupied by a soldier. We are the lead… Continue reading
The DMZ!
For me and for everyone there, the visit is momentous. We feel the gravity, the importance of the place as we arrive at the visitor staging area. There is excitement and a bit… Continue reading
The happy couple
Remember that we are in Kaesong here and not in the capital, where the smarter, more attractive people are selected to live. In a week or two, we’ll see the picture of a… Continue reading
First wedding picture
When Michael dropped me off at LAX to catch my flight, I told him that my mind was a blank slate about North Korea. I was willing to be impressed, bullied or disappointed;… Continue reading
Feudal societies
Everywhere, end up bringing about their own demise. Naturally, old Korean dynasties were feudal in nature. Here is a chart showing the cost of various goods, ranging from children to cows, available at… Continue reading
Kite flying in the 19th century
From Afghanistan to Korea, a popular pastime.
This game of seesaw
was apparently invented by Korean women for Korean women. Women of good families lived inside compounds outside which they rarely ventured. Their curiosity brought them to this game, which allowed them to see… Continue reading
More cultural heritage
This couldn’t be who I think it is, could it? What are y’all seeing? Remember the important distinction in North Korea, as well as in, for example, China, between “cultural” and “religious”. These… Continue reading