Chinese tour agency set to offer trip to cross DMZ

A Chinese tourist agency is putting on a deluxe tour in November to Panmunjom’s military facilities that hitherto could not be visited, after the two Koreas entered into discussions over disarming the Joint Security Area (JSA) at the truce village.

“It will probably cost more than 10,000 yuan ($1,443) per person, including flights, visa, insurance, board and lodging,” said a travel consultant who asked to be identified as Anson from LE Travel, a premium travel agency based in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong Province, on Sunday.

“After the disarmament [of the JSA], more military facilities and zones at Panmunjom will probably be open to visitors,” he said.

Anson told the Global Times that tourists can even possibly cross the Military Demarcation Line to visit some facilities on the South Korean side.

Visitors to Panmunjom have to stay under strict military supervision throughout their journey, said Anson.

LE Travel is still discussing the details with local agencies and will release an itinerary next week, according to Anson.

South and North Korea have completed demining operations in the JSA, and are expected to continue to pull out guard posts, troops and other weapons from the area from next week till the end of October, South Korean media, the Korean Broadcasting System reported Friday.