The DMZ: Perceptions

Date: 1/2/11

On the first Sunday of the New Year, Sarah, Freddie and I went to the DMZ.  I specifically did not tell my parents that, Guess what? I'm going to the DMZ this weekend!  I didn't want to scare them silly.  I really didn't know what to expect and went along to see what could be seen.

So, a little history before I start in on our journey.  "In military terms, a demilitarized zone (DMZ) is an area, usually the frontier or boundary between two or more military powers (or alliances), where military activity is not permitted, usually by peace treaty, armistice, or other bilateral or multilateral agreement. Often the demilitarized zone lies upon a line of control and forms a de-facto international border."  The Korean DMZ is located on the 38th Parallel and is 160 miles long and about 2.5 miles wide.  Ironically it is the heaviest militarized zone in the world.

There is a long history of incidents scattered around the DMZ that are worth mentioning.  In November of last year, the island of Yeongpeong was attacked by North Korea.  This is one such incident of the kind of history between the two countries. 

I should point out that most of the information I am relating is decidely one sided, Pro-South Korea.  Which, I admit, is the side I will always agree with side--quiet strongly.  But it is important to note that in countries that support North Korea, like China for instance, there is just as much fear that the South will attack the North.  The Chinese even have tours of the North Korean DMZ, which have halted since the Yeongpeong attack in fear that South Korea will attack the North Koreans. 

You might ask, how in the world could Chinese be afraid of South Koreans--it's the North that has basically started every attack.  Yes and no--depending on which side you favor.  With Yeongpeong, for example, it can be debated.  (Or at least, you can sort of reason and see why something could have happened...if both sides were rational). 

Back in March, the North sank a South Korean ship.  This prompted the South to schedule military drills in the sea of their left, where Yeongpeong and other island are.  Come November, and South is going to go through with the drills.  They say they will take place in the next week--with the aid of the United States Military.  This does not please the North.  They start asking the South to cancel the drills.  The area where the drills are taking place is disputed or not very well defined.  The South claims the land, but the North claims the sea. And since the South is doing naval drills, the North sees it as an infrigement of their rights.  And when the South starts the drills, the North sees it as an attack.  So they shell the island of Yeongpeong. 

Now imagine a country where the government controls all the newpapers.  This scenario can quickly become the South was "invading" the North with the aid of US.  You can see how the Chinese and North Koreans could be fearful of the South.

Okay, that was a long tangent just to explain that perception is everything.  But, that being said, it is still extremely obvious to many people (me) that the North is/was/has been aggressive to the South over the last 60 years.