Christophe

Really ? More to come... Ch.

Sure!!! But, do you mean my English is so bad ? Cheers. Ch.

Hi Bob, There are tourists, but not so many in fact. It remains quite "authentic", I would say. Moreover, in all what I have posted until now; the access is free, as I have not entered yet in the DMZ. When entered, most of the times, photos are not allowed, except in some precise locations (the "touristic" aspect...). I'll post more... Hope you enjoy. Cheers. Ch.

Gwaenchanseumida!! (You're welcome!!) Cheers. Ch.

The Mangbaedan Afar Altar. It is here that the dispersed family members who left their hometown in North Korea are praying for re-unification. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe - ChR Collection

Detail. You can clearly see where the DMZ is : the black line between the two lines of barbed-wires. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

The Gyeongeuy-line railroad Munsan - Gaesong inteconnection projet. In fact, seen from the South, everything is ready for the reunification. This line goes from Seoul to Pyongyang and is ready in its South part. A brand new train station is operational at Dorasan, the last stop before the demarkation line. I'll post photos of it later. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Hey, hey!! I'm here!! Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Close to Freedom Bridge, the beginning of the DMZ. In fact, such fences are quite usual all the long of the road from Seoul to the North, and specifically along the river Hangang. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe - ChR Collection

Actual Freedom bridge, with, on the right, what remains of the former one across the Imjin river. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Freedom Bridge. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Pics of my trip in the DMZ are posted here: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2702 Enjoy!! Cheers. Ch.

Freedom Bridge. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Bridge of Freedom with remembrances of divided Korean families. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Plaque celebrating the re-opening (under conditions) in 2000 of the bridge, to circulation of trains that bring food and goods from the South to the North (aid program). Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

From Seoul to Imjingak Because I did my trip a Sunday (no other choice...) I did not have the opportunity to visit the famous village of Panmunjeom. Panmunjeom is located in the Joint Security Area, which is in the DMZ, 50 km north from Seoul and 10 km east from the city of Gaeseong. The place is well-known for the peace talks that were held here on 25 October 1951 and was designated as the Joint Security Area on 27 July 27 1953 when the armistice agreement was signed. Panmunjeom is used as a conference center since the Red Cross held an international conference here on 20 September 1971. It is the only place where North Koreans and South Koreans can come in contact on a daily basis and make efforts towards the peace of Korea. I'll post later pics of the model of the site. Imjingak, is located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line. It is possible to visit it without going through any security check points, so it is a popular site for tourists, Koreans or foreigners. Here is the Freedom Bridge, the South Koreans war prisoners crossed when they came back to their mother country from North Korea. It stands behind Mangbaedan, the place where people who left North Korea visit and perform ancestral rites for reunifying families. Ch. Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

Here are a few pics of my recent trip in the DMZ. The Demilitarized Zone (or DMZ) in Korea is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an acute angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying South of the parallel and the East end lying north of it. It is 248 km long and approximately 4 km wide. (See map below). Korea is in fact the only divided country in the world. After the Korean War (25 June 1950 - Armistice of 27 July 1953), South Korea and North Korea negotiated and then designated the DMZ 2km away from the truce line on each side of the border. DMZ is one of the last relics of the Cold War. Nowadays, DMZ tourist sites have been implemanted for both Koreans and foreign "tourists". Ch. Pic : Wikipedia.

Ch.

Has someone already seen such a stamp ? If not, I would guess for a kind of "home made" metal resistance test for both the stamp and the medal... Ch.

Dave and Dudeman, Interesting posts . I had also made these remarks to myself and reached the same conclusions as you. Dave, "Your" scratches, I think, will probably be more and more present, due to the presence in dealers bags, as you noticed it. And, moreover, as there is often pressure in the bags due to storage, the medals are "pressed" against each others. They also are often shown, taken from plastic bags... When kept at home by the awardee (in their box, or everywhere else), the "pressure" was certainly lower... Dudeman, What's this ribbon ? Cheers. Ch.

Hi Dudeman, Thanks for posting a question. I think I have both answers. I will first let the others play... Cheers. Ch.

We have a winner!!! It is Check Point Charlie !!! The two dates correspond to / * The opening of Check Point Charlie as a control point, and * Its official dismantling. The dates are not those of these speeches, but as you were very close... The speeches you mentioned took place on 26 June 1963 and 12 june 1987. Dudeman, congrats!! Your turn now to post a question. Ch.

So, here is the question again : There is an historical place linked by these two dates : 22 September 1961 and 22 Juni 1990. 1. Which exact place is it ? Berlin Wall, but more precisely ? 2. In which city ? Berlin 3. What is the significance of these two dates ? ? Good luck!!! Any idea ? Cheers. Ch.

Hi Dudeman, Good start! You're totally right. It is linked to the Berlin Wall. The frontier between East and West has been closed on 13 August 1961, and the Wall's construction began on the 15 August. But, there is something more specific around these two dates : 22 September 1961 and 22 Juni 1990. What ? Question 2 is already answered : Berlin. Good luck!! Ch.

OK, let's keep the (snow)ball rolling... with an easy one : There is an historical place linked by these two dates : 22 September 1961 and 22 Juni 1990. 1. Which exact place is it ? 2. In which city ? 3. What is the significance of these two dates ? Good luck!!! Cheers. Ch.