Currency Exhibition @ Itaewon Station

Out of so many currencies being displayed, I didn't know why I got this infatuation to the North Korean currencies. They just looked so eerily interesting to look at. 

Oh, they also use Won as its denomination. Just realized about it. 

There were so many other countries' currencies on display.  

And this one is from Laos. I think this is the most impressive of all.

Just look at the intricate side bar that circles this banknote!

It's also from the North Korean currencies. 

This one, too. Now come my question: is it the same worth as that in the South?

I don't think so.

Odusan Unification Observatory

The so-called observatory like 'Odusan Unification Observatory' is just one among a few places like this scattered along the 38th parallel line that divides the North and South Korea for more than five decades now. The view above is what I saw when I first went there. I was like witnessing the river dividing the two countries in its physical prowess. 

Since it is an observatory, binoculars or telescopes are provided at the outdoor area of the complex. By inserting 500 won, visitors could easily spot on the closest ranges of what North Korea might look like. Well, personally...I did not know what to say. I felt like it was a weird thing for us to observe the North Korea by peeping into these binoculars. 

Why so? I felt like North Korea being something worth-peeping for. Well, if I were a citizen of a country being observed like that, like some kind of attraction, I would object for sure! It is a sad situation, for sure. Then, something struck me: I wondered if the same observation complexes as the South provides also exist in the North so the North Korean citizens could look into their peer or their brothers at the South. (Though I doubt it myself...I think it natural for me or maybe others to have this kind of thought. Right?)

But, that's the not the point of this observation, although some may think so. 

The complex which was built in 1992 serves as one of the educational ways for generations to learn about the real situation of what both Korea are suffering at the moment: the truth about its division. 

So, apart from such binoculars--which I think they seem a bit too outrageous--, the ones that serve better are the exhibition halls and the room to experience North Korea. This one lets visitors to learn more about what life might have been in the North. The problem is that ...I am still wondering up to know as to whether the ones being depicted in Odusan does indeed reflect the real truth about what is going on in the North. I can not know for sure. But, I am sure the Odusan Observatory team must've done a great job of bringing facts into reality in this complex. 

(pic. above: the unification road --as it is called in the South-is barely visible. Across the river is where the North Korea is). So, close, right? Yet, so far away.

This is the view from the modern-looking observatory complex. One more thing that we could do and see here is the unification exhibition and theater where visitors could learn through audio visual about the life ranging from political, social, political, and other perspectives on the North. Through this, it is hoped that more and more understanding about the need to unify or at least to make a peaceful peninsula right now and in the future keep lingering on in the minds of people across the world.

Suppose visitors could not look into the North visually clear due to the weather, they could just see an explanation provided beside the telescopes. 

This is what I'm talking about. The 'lonely' telescopes waiting for visitors to peep into the neighboring country. 

The telescopes seemed to say something like this:

"I do hope and wish that someday people won't use us any longer to see the North. 

I want them to just go and visit the North directly and see it through their own eyes, 

without having to borrow ours."

The famous statues of the so-called guards in the North-South borders of the two Korea.

Odusan Unification Observatory

and.... I was also at ODUSAN unification Observatory. 

The picture above was the Unification Wishing Room where visitors can write their wishes  for unification between the North and South Korea. And these notes will be stored in a time capsule until the day of Korean Unification. See the peninsula-shaped green paper hung on the wall behind me? Those were the wishing papers written by people during their homage to this shrine.

One interestingly eye-catching display during the tour to Odusan is the panorama or diorama in big sizes that captures the still images , not the real life-like imagery and portrayals of what life would be like in the North. Well, though I am sure that life must've been much better than this one up there in the North, I am sure that this somehow pretty much displays what it must've been like. 

The first time I saw this, it resembles to some extent the same condition of what Indonesians people have in their present living room or houses, especially those who are avid followers of the government. It's pretty interesting to note the similarities: especially on the fact that the portraits of the current president and its vice president are respected by hanging them on the walls. Pretty similar with that of Indonesia's situation.

Then, off we went to Imjingak Observatory. I took pictures with some of my friends from The Korea Brand Communicator.

Another thing that impressed me most is the mere simple sight of parking lot being overcrowded with cars and buses. That means one thing: tourists and locals do come to this place. I never thought that such a historical place like this one does indeed perpetuate its charms and attracts lots of people. I love the fact that lots of Korean people be it young and old, and foreigners do visit the place. I guess..it pretty much has something to do with the intrinsically inherent war-truce that Korea is still under, and yet Korea managed to be one of the developed countries in the world. Being one of the developed countries, Korea managed to make the best use of its status to foster its tourism industry. How cool is that?

And..oh...if you happened to notice...there is even an amusement land just right at the entrance to the site. I think this is one of the myriad ways to attract people. 

I was about to cross over the 'Bridge of Freedom' What is it? Just read my other entry on this one. 

Let the Iron Horse Run Again. 

This is the Steam locomotive at Jangdan station of the Gyeongui line. Being registered as the cultural heritage No 78 in Korea, this historical reminiscence from the Korean War is one of the attractions at Imjingak Observatory.

*Thanks to Presidential Council fon Nation Branding inf Korea for inviting me to this valuable cooperation.

Dorasan Station

 Dorasan Station is the northernmost international station located over 700 meters from the DMZ. First thing first, what's the point of making all of this station, then...if it is not even being used just yet. From the negative point of view such as the huge money it must've been used to build this station, it looks like it is just in vain.

But, seen from the positive pint of view, I think it somehow represents the spirit and the high hopes of uniting the once united peninsula through railroad. I myself kinda recollected some dreams of being able to ride on a train from South Korea towards the North Korea which then surely leads to Russia up until Central Asia, Europe..or better yet...to Southeast Asia. Well, why not. It is all possible, though.

The place itself --I think-- is a kind of more of symbolic venue rather than a real usable one. Being symbolic in a sense that it represents the currently divided Korea.  

But, at the same time...by looking at or judging from the sophisticated facilities installed inside the station, one cannot refrain himself from referring it as another symbol of 'unification' once the real one is achieved. Well, even if it is not unification, the mere fact that the free flow of transportation between people and goods is agreed to achieve between the two Korea, this station will surely hold its importance.

See the resemblance of this station with the currently existing modern stations across South Korea? That's how similar and life-like this Dorasan station is. I felt like this station is alive when the visitors or tourists are flocking inside it. 

I hope someday that people from all walks of like could just freely use this station for the betterment of both Korea's relation. 

Once again I want to paraphrase that this station possesses a historical meaning and significance in the sense that it will someday serve as the gateway for interchange between the South and the North. 

Especially, it is widely known that after the completion of Seoul (South Korea) -- Sinuiju (North Korea) railway line, the chances are bigger to open up this line leading into the North.

When I visited this Dorasan station, something attracted me, i.e. a beautifully written sentence that best describes the station:

남쪽의 마지막 역이 아니라, 복쪽으로 가는 첫번째 역입니다.

"Not the last station from the South, but the first station towards the North."

Dora ObservatoryDora Observatory....

See the road here? It was fully and tightly controlled. Where is it?

It's the Dora Observatory or도라전망대 located within the DMZ (demilitarized zone).  

Even there is a photo line which means what we are not allowed to take any pictures outside that yellow line. 

 

So, Instead of taking pictures, visitors could use huge binoculars by inserting a 500 Won coin so as they could see the closest area of North Korea. For those having no 500 Won coin could do so by having their bills changed into the coins at 동전교환소 available there.

 

After having our coins, we could freely use the binoculars or telescope to see the North Korea. It is I think one of best ways to have ourselves get exposed to the seemingly mysterious life in the North. 

What I saw was that there was this huge and tall flag of the North Korea visible even through our naked eyes. Some villages and some area of the famous Gaeseong industrial complex were also visible. The brochure said that I could see the bronze statue of Kim Il-Seong, but...I did not find it.