38th Parallel, Korea: In the aftermath of the Korean War, the country was divided into north and south at the 38th parallel, creating a “demilitarized zone,” roughly four kilometers wide and 250 kilometers long. Tours of the south side of the zone are offered to foreign tourists, but ironically, Korean tourists are not permitted to enter the area. Led by young American soldiers stationed at Camp Bonifas, tours include a visit to the “world’s most dangerous golf course” which, until recently, was surrounded by landmines. Visitors are also able to observe substantial propaganda signage posted by both North and South Korea and visit the buildings where the peace accords were signed in 1953. Situated exactly on the border, a line runs down the center of the structures and tourists can take photos of the North Korean guards stationed on the other side of the border.
I visited this site when I was a soldier in the US Army stationed in So. Korea, in 1980. Seeing the North Koreans just 10 feet away and Armed No Korean Soldiers the same distance away from me was a bit chilling.