As we had some vacation time, we decided to visit Seoul, South Korea.

We found it to be much like Japan in many ways. One noticable difference was the prominence of evangelical churches.


At the Deoksugung Palace, they were having a "changing of the Royal Guard". They are from the Josen Dynasty era. Aren't the period costumes colorful!!

When they motioned if I wanted to stand and have my picture taken, I couldn't resist....


The DMZ is something we have heard about most of our lives; especially since Martin's oldest brother served in Korea during the war.

It was exciting to be so close to where history is still playing an active role.


At Panmunjeom, where the armistice agreement was signed in 1953, we could only take pictures from this point. The United Nations Command had very strict guidelines to follow. We were required to sign a release declaration before we could enter the area.
You can see the North Korean soldier in the background, looking back at the South Korean soldiers in the foreground.
We were allowed to go inside the conference room at the Joint Security Area. To stand on the North, and South Korean side of the demarcation line running down the center of the table, was a little scary.


Something new to us, was the "3rd tunnel" that had been dug by North Korea. Discovered in 1978, it had the capacity to move 10,000 soldiers in one hour, plus their weapons. Definitely designed for a surprise attack. When you consider that Seoul is only 55 kilometers (33 miles) away from the zone area, that can be a disturbing thought!

There have been five reported discoveries of such tunnels.
I asked about any recent discoveries and was told that the zone is monitored at all times.

This is the War Memorial of Korea.
It gave a sombering look at military might at the time, and the human loss from the war. As it was Memorial Day week-end in the states, we gave thought, and thanks, for the approximately 34,000 United States soldiers who died here.

One encouraging display was a clock that, hopefully one day, will show the exact time when North and South Korea will no longer be separated by border or ideology.