“Invasion from the North.” These words likely weren’t on your Seoul bingo card today. Yet here we stand before the entrance to the Third Tunnel of Aggression.
This tunnel represents a chilling chapter in Korean history. Let me introduce you to the Third Tunnel of Aggression. It is one of four known tunnels burrowed by North Korea under the Demilitarized Zone. The DMZ separates North and South Korea. This tunnel was designed for a surprise military incursion. It is located only 44 km from Seoul. Imagine tens of thousands of soldiers pouring through here. They would carry light weaponry. Their mission was to strike at the heart of the South.
The Third Tunnel of Aggression’s discovery in 1978 was accidental. Underground explosions in June 1978 led to its detection. It took four months to locate the tunnel. South Korean forces dug an intercept tunnel. The tunnel itself is quite substantial. It stretches 1,635 meters long and about 2 meters wide. It runs 73 meters below ground. Experts estimate it could move 30,000 soldiers per hour.
North Korea initially denied any involvement. Later, they claimed it was part of a coal mine. However, geological evidence proves otherwise. Signs inside the Third Tunnel of Aggression point out the granite bedrock. Coal is found in sedimentary rock not granite.
Today, the Third Tunnel of Aggression is a stark reminder of the Korean War’s ongoing tensions. It serves as a tourist site. Visitors can walk or take a small train into the tunnel. Photography is forbidden to maintain security. Concrete barricades mark the Military Demarcation Line within the tunnel. You can only go as far as the third barricade.
The United Nations Command condemned the tunnel as a violation of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. South Korea labeled it an act of aggression. The Third Tunnel of Aggression is a chilling reminder of conflict. Yet, it also stands as a symbol of resilience. It highlights the enduring hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Remember to bring your passport. You will need it to enter the Third Tunnel of Aggression.