Moon previews DMZ trail, token of his peace initiative

SEOUL, April 26 (Yonhap) -- President Moon Jae-in visited a highly symbolic trail inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which serves as the border between the two Koreas, on Friday, a day before its opening to the public as a result of his signature peace drive.

The DMZ area in Goseong in the eastern province of Gangwon has been off limits to civilians since the Korean War ended in an armistice over 65 years ago.

The liberal-minded president has striven to turn the heavily fortified DMZ into a peace zone.

After walking through the coastal area along with other participants, he helped to erect a pole with a sign reading, "The road to peace has just begun," Cheong Wa Dae said.

Ordinary people will be allowed to trek the Goseong "peace trail" starting Saturday, the first anniversary of a historic inter-Korean summit held at the truce zone of Panmunjom.

The United Nations Command (UNC), which oversees the implementation of the Armistice Agreement, has approved the limited public use of the site.

The tour program will be available twice a day, every day except Mondays. The number of visitors will be limited as well in consideration of military operations around the area.

Additional DMZ areas will be opened to tourists in stages through consultations between the South Korean government and the command on safety and security measures.

The no-man's land of the DMZ, around 250 kilometers long and 4 km wide, is now an ecological repository, as its natural environment has been well preserved.

lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)