Inje County in Gangwon Province has resumed its 'DMZ Peace Road' themed tours, which were paused during the summer heat. This year, a new 23-seat electric bus has been introduced to facilitate eco-friendly exploration of the region's ecology and history of division.
According to Inje County, the themed tours were temporarily halted in July and August for visitor safety due to the extreme heat, but they are now welcoming guests again starting in September.
With the resumption of operations, the new 23-seat electric bus will run on weekends. It will support visitors traveling a round trip of 46 kilometers, departing from the visitor center, passing through Daegokri checkpoint and 1052 Hill, before returning to the center.
The Inje DMZ Peace Road offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural environment and remnants of division in a border area that has been restricted to civilian access. Notably, 1052 Hill is considered a key segment of the route, providing views of the mountainous scenery of the DMZ and the Baekdudaegan range.
According to the Korea Tourism Organization's 'Durunubi' program, the course from Daegokri checkpoint to 1052 Hill spans a total of 46 kilometers, with approximately 1.4 kilometers requiring walking. Unlike typical walking paths, this route features limited access, allowing only a small number of pre-registered participants to explore the area with a guide.
Tours operate twice daily, from Wednesday to Sunday, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The service is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with a maximum of 20 participants per session. Reservations can be made online through the official 'Durunubi' website or by phone at the site.
Inje County is maintaining close cooperation with military units to ensure visitor safety and smooth operation of the route. Chae Jin-seok, the county's planning and budget officer, stated, “We will do our best to ensure that visitors can comfortably and enjoyably experience the ecological and peace values of the DMZ through the newly introduced electric bus.”
Looking ahead, Inje County plans to enhance safety management and continuously improve visitor convenience in collaboration with military units. With the introduction of the electric bus, the Inje DMZ Peace Road is poised to become a representative eco-tourism resource in the border area, allowing visitors to experience the ecological environment and history of division, along with the scenic views from 1052 Hill.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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