Trip to the DMZ: A Photo Essay (Part I)

A contingent of 30 Filipino Graduate Students/GEO Teaching Assistants and three CUK professors left the University's Songsim Campus at around 7:00 AM of April 24, 2010

We were in a good mood even though we had to wake up very early to prepare for this trip.

(Photo courtesy of Emerald Anne Jorda)

We were impeccably dressed. From left to right: Emerald Anne Jorda, Sergeant Bala of the Philippine Liaison Group to the United Nations Command, Ma. Regina Pato, Gerard Angelo Bambilla, Mark James Evangelista and Ricardo Rosit.
(Photo courtesy of Emerald Anne Jorda)

DMZ dress code don'ts:

1. Shirts or tops without sleeves, t-shirts, tank top and similar attire. Dress shirts/tops without collars and women’s collarless blouses are acceptable.

2. Dungarees, jeans or denim clothing of any type or color. This includes designer jeans, black colored jeans, etc.

3. Shorts of any style including hiking, Bermuda, and cutoffs.

4. Halter-tops, backless dresses are prohibited. Dresses or skirts that exceed 2 inches above the knee. Most women’s “sun dresses” are considered appropriate attire.

5. Any item of outer clothing of a sheer variety.

6. Any form-fitting clothing including tight knit tops, tight knit pants, and stretch pants or warm-ups.

7. Shower shoes, thongs, or “flip-flops” are not acceptable. Dress sandals/open toed shoes are acceptable. 

8. Items of military clothing not worn as an integral part of a prescribed service uniform. 

9. Shaggy or unkempt hair, or faddish hairstyles and colors, excessive body piercing, etc are not permitted. 

Security was tight inside the camp.

(Photo courtesy of Emerald Anne Jorda)

Welcome to Camp Bonifas. It used to be called Camp Kitty Hawk and Camp Liberty Bell at various points in the past. However, on August 18, 1986, the camp was re-named in honor of U.S. Army Captain Arthur G. Bonifas, who, along with First Lieutenant Mark T. Barrett, were both killed by North Korean soldiers in what has become known as the Axe Murder Incident.
(Photo courtesy of Emerald Anne Jorda)

We went to Ballinger Hall to watch a short film about the Korean War, the Demilitarized Zone, Camp Bonifas, and the Joint Security Area (JSA). This was a highly restricted area which is not open to the usual tourists. We were so fortunate to have been given the chance to go on this tour.

  Outside Ballinger Hall stands the flags of the countries that lent assistance to the United Nations during the Korean War. The Philippine flag is sixth from the left. The Philippines was the fifth country to respond to the United Nations' clarion call. A total of 7,500 combat troops were sent, the fourth-largest contingent under the United Nations flag, which is seen hoisted second from the left (after the American flag).  

 South Korean soldiers on a typical day. Military readiness is of high importance at Camp Bonifas, South Korea's first line of defense against North Korea. Most of these soldiers are University students who are required by South Korean law to render fixed military service of roughly two years. Chances are, some of these soldiers are CUK students on leave from their studies.
(Photo courtesy of Emerald Anne Jorda) 

Sergeant Juarez was our military guide for the day. He was very serious in terms of explaining the rules in Camp Bonifas and the Joint Security Area. However, he did exhibit his sense of humor from time to time.

(Photo courtesy of Emerald Anne Jorda)

On our way to the Joint Security Area we passed by the Tae Sung Freedom Village. This village is located within the Demilitarized Zone. Residents of this village dating back to before the Korean War and their direct descendants receive special privileges from the South Korean government. They do not pay taxes and are exempted from the compulsory military service. The residents live through agriculture. However, they receive tremendous support from the South Korean government in the form of farm equipment and technology, aside from their tax-exemption privileges. They also till a sizable amount of agricultural land, more than 30 times the national average. According to Sergeant Juarez, the Tae Sung Freedom Village families have an average yearly income of about US$ 82,000. Some of these farmers have been spotted driving ---very expensive, given South Korea's massive tariffs against foreign cars--- European cars.

(Photo courtesy of Emerald Anne Jorda)