Joint Security Area: Friends Without Borders
The Joint Security Area (also known as the “Truce Village”) is the only portion of the Korean Demilitarized Zone where South and North Koreans actively stand face to face without direct armed conflict. The Joint Security Area is used for the two Koreas primarily for diplomatic arrangements and meetings and until 1991 was the location used for multiple military negotiations between North Korean and the United Nations Command. Since it’s establishment in 1953 with the informal end of the Korean war and the Korean Armistice Agreement it allowed for the exchange of prisoners of war between the two nations through the “Bridge Of No Return” which crosses the Military Demarcation Line between the two Koreas. The name originates from the final ultimatum that was given to prisoners of war brought to the bridge for repatriation: they could either remain in the country of their captivity or cross the bridge to return to their homeland. However, once they chose to cross the bridge, they would neve...
