DMZ Train
by Joan Carroll
Title
DMZ Train
Artist
Joan Carroll
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photograph
Description
In yet another scene of the surreal unreality of the DMZ in Korea, we visited the Dorasan Station, the closest train station to the 38th parallel. We could buy a 'ticket' which gave us access to the platform only, in order to look at the train. Korail, the Korea Railroad Corporation, operates a special 'DMZ-Train' tour that runs between Seoul Station and Dorasan Station. . It was a bright cold winter day and you could look across the stark landscape to what is North Korea. The unreality of the scene was heightened by the fact that station and platform were absolutely deserted! (presumably, the passengers who had come from Seoul were out on bus tours to the DMZ). All that is missing is the eerie music. The reopening of the DMZ train lines to Dorasan began May 4 2014, when the first train left from Seoul Station. The DMZ-Train allows tourists to travel through Korea's untouched natural landscape and historical landmark that is the Korean Demilitarized Zone. This marked the first time in 6 years that the DMZ-Train operated. For about a year in 2007-2008, one train a day crossed into North Korea, taking materials to the Kaesong industrial center and returning with manufactured goods. North Korea, however, following a dispute with the South, suspended these trains in 2008 and they have never resumed. The station is maintained, and tourist trains from Seoul come here, but there is no rail traffic past here into the North. Since the station is within the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ), tourists are granted access only after presenting a valid form of identification and filling out an application form. The DMZ-Train is made up of 3 compartments in total with exterior signage reading 'Peace, Freedom and Unity' on each car. The lead car's design inspiration came from a rusty steam locomotive, conjuring up images of hope and memories of the past. The other two cars represent 'Freedom and Unity' and are decorated with the national flower Mugunghwa, or hibiscus.
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Uploaded
December 18th, 2014
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