Korea’s DMZ is More Than Just Soldiers
One photojournalist was granted rare access to the demilitarized zone. This is what he saw.
Park Jongwoo
- Park Jongwoo01The Korean Demilitarized Zone was established in 1953 as part of the armistice agreement that ended three years of brutal fighting between North and South Korea.
- Park Jongwoo02In 2009, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense granted photojournalist Park Jongwoo rare access to this two-mile-wide swath of land.
- Park Jongwoo03Jongwoo spent the next eight years photographing the DMZ. Because of the thousands of land mines that litter the area, he was accompanied at all times by a squadron of South Korean soldiers.
- Park Jongwoo04The DMZ stretches across the 155-mile width of the Korean peninsula and is bounded on both sides by barbed-wire fences—and one of the largest concentrations of soldiers and artillery in the world.
- Park Jongwoo05Here, a South Korean soldier stands guard at the Southern Limit Line overlooking the frozen Han River, which flows from North Korea to South Korea through the DMZ.
- Park Jongwoo06“I thought inside the DMZ would be this fully armed area with artillery and machine guns and missiles,” Jongwoo said. “But when I first went in, it just looked like a really peaceful area.”
- Park Jongwoo07Because the zone is off-limits to human development, it has become something of a wildlife refuge for endangered birds; more than 6,000 animal and plant species have been identified in the area, including 106 labeled endangered or protected.
- Park Jongwoo08This abandoned bridge has remained untouched since the 1953 armistice. With no humans allowed to enter this area, it has become a resting place for migrating cormorants.
- Park Jongwoo09Despite the recent thaw in inter-Korean relations due to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Jongwoo expressed skepticism about the prospect for reunification, at least within his lifetime.
- Park Jongwoo10“There are so many obstacles to peace talks, so most people are still worried about that,” Jongwoo said. “But for this moment, for the Olympics, we’re happy.”
South Korea Wants to Fire Up a Hyperloop in Just 4 Years
Turning a three-hour journey from Seoul to Busan into a half-hour hop.
Alex Davies
Beyond the DMZ: Pyongyang's Hidden Jewel is its Subway System
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, known as North Korea, is known for its Stalinistic dictatorship, severe human rights violations, extensive prison camp system, and food shortages. But within the country, which is the home to “some of the world’s most brutalized people,” according to Human Rights Watch, the capital’s subway system contrasts the rest […]
Alexander Lew
North Korea's Plenty Scary Without an Overhyped EMP Threat
While an electromagnetic pulse attack could cause plenty of trouble, don't expect one to come from North Korea.
Brian Barrett
Uncensored Instagrams From North Korea Buck Brutal Trend of Secrecy
As the AP's chief photographer for Asia, David Guttenfelder now sends out images from the Pyongyang bureau and posts daily to Instagram. In a country without the Internet, a reporter with social media is king, so we asked Guttenfelder for his report from the inside.
Biz Carson
Here's How Activists Smuggle Friends Into North Korea
Western movies, TV shows, documentaries, news—despite a ban on foreign media in North Korea, many of its citizens are able to watch all this stuff. And activists have found plenty of ways to smuggle digital contraband into the “darkest place on Earth.” Dissident groups like the North Korea Strategy Center, North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity, and […]
Julia Greenberg
Top Google Workspace Promo Codes for October 2026
Boost your productivity and save with exclusive Google Workspace coupons from WIRED. Get up to 14% off plans for three months, including Starter, Standard, and Plus tiers.
Luke Larsen
Top Paramount+ Coupon Codes and Deals for October 2026
Save on streaming with the latest Paramount+ promo codes and deals, including 50% off subscriptions, free trials, and more.
Molly Higgins
Top Target Promo Codes for October 2026
Get $50 off your next order or up to 50% off site wide with Target coupon codes and Circle deals.
Molly Higgins
Top Canon Promo Codes: 30% Off for October 2026
Save an extra 10% or 30% with Canon coupon codes, plus up to $1,600 on cameras, printers, and more this October 2026.
Gear Team
Top Ulta Beauty Promo Codes: 50% Off
Shop the latest beauty trends and save big using an Ulta promo code for beauty tech, makeup, and more.
Boutayna Chokrane
Top Valvoline Coupons and Promo Codes for 2026
We've gathered all the top Valvoline coupons and promo codes for October 2026, including deals on full synthetic oil changes and other essential maintenance.
Kat Merck
Top Zoro Promo Codes for October 2026
Find the best Zoro coupon codes, deals, and free shipping offers to save big on industrial equipment, tools, and supplies in October 2026.
Molly Higgins