Due to the tension and security concerns involved, travelers are required to join an organized tour group in order to visit the truce village better known as the JSA. Day trips to the DMZ from Seoul include stops at the JSA, as well as other area attractions like Imjingak Park, the Freedom Bridge, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, Bridge of No Return, and an observation point where it’s possible to observe a North Korean village across the border through a telescope. Some tours also include a stop at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul.
The JSA is a must-see for history buffs and anyone looking for a better understanding of the Korean conflict.
All Panmunjom tour participants are required to carry a valid passport, be at least 10 years of age, and dress appropriately.
Refrain from wearing worn or faded jeans, exercise clothes, sleeveless shirts, collarless shirts, short skirts, shorts, tight fitting clothes, military clothes, or sandals.
A DMZ tour from Seoul can last six to nine hours, depending on the option chosen.
Many tours to the JSA require booking several days in advance.
Panmunjom sits less than 40 miles from Seoul. However, visits can only be made via organized tour groups, which include strict rules of conduct, dress codes, and restrictions on photography to avoid starting an incident with the North Korean soldiers.
The Joint Security Area is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. While the site is open for tours throughout the year, expect temps in the 80s and high humidity in summer, and temperatures below freezing in the winter.
To enter the JSA, visitors must pass through multiple checkpoints before arriving at Camp Bonifas, escorted by either US or South Korean soldiers. Here, JSA tour participants receive a security and safety briefing and sign a release form in case something happens.
