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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) has become one of the most heavily guarded areas in the world. This area is a relic of the Cold War, not part of South Korea or North Korea. For a long time, this demilitarized zone has been a magnet for tourists.
This strictest border can now be visited by tourists to enjoy coffee. Starbucks South Korea has opened a cafe near the area so that customers can see the border heavily guarded by the military towards North Korea.
As reported by Reuters, the American coffee chain opened its branch near the DMZ on Friday, November 29, 2024. Hundreds of people came to see the opening of the newest store at Aegibong Peace Ecopark near Gimpo city, about 50 kilometers northwest of Seoul and close to the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas.
Visitors Pass Border Checkpoint
Visitors have to pass through military checkpoints on their way to the Starbucks branch, although the location is less known and security is not as tight as popular tourist spots along the border like the Panmunjom ceasefire village.
Starbucks customers enjoy coffee, while others look at North Korea's Kaepoong propaganda village through binoculars, at the peak of Aegibong Peak Observatory, south of the demilitarized zone (DMZ), in Gimpo, South Korea, November 29, 2024. REUTERS/ Kim Soo-hyeon
A river designated as neutral waters flows between the observatory and the northern border town of Kaepung just 1.4 kilometers away. On a clear day, residents of North Korea can be seen from the observatory through its telescope.
One of the attendees at the opening was Baek Hea-soon, a 48-year-old resident of Gimpo who arrived early on Friday to try the new Starbucks branch.
"I hope to share this delicious coffee with the people in North Korea," he said.
North Korea has suffered serious food shortages over the past few decades, including famine in the 1990s. This condition is often exacerbated by natural disasters such as floods damaging crops.
For some customers, enjoying a cup of coffee while looking at the expanse of fields and North Korean villages feels calming, even though North Korean leader Kim Jong Un often threatens to send nuclear weapons across the border.
"Having a cup of coffee here, I feel like I can gaze at North Korea, a country separated from us, with a little more calm and peace," said 80-year-old Vietnam War veteran Lim Jong-chul, as reported by NBC News. "Previously, the concept of security felt rigid and tense, but now, with this cafe, it feels more peaceful and reassuring."
South and North Korea Conflict
South Korea and North Korea are still at war after their conflict from 1950-53 ended in a ceasefire, not a peace agreement. Last month, Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, blew up several sections of roads and inter-Korean railway lines on its border side as part of its longstanding efforts to thwart planned unification objectives. While Seoul warned Pyongyang that the use of its nuclear weapons would end the North Korean regime.
This year, North Korea has also sent thousands of balloons tied to garbage bags, used batteries, and fertilizer across the border, with one balloon landing at the Seoul presidential complex. According to officials in Pyongyang, this is in response to balloons carrying anti-regime leaflets sent by activists in the South.
Changing Border Image
Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-soo said that the opening of Starbucks branch in that location could change the dark and gloomy image of the border area.
"This place can now become an important tourist destination for security and peace that can be seen as a young, bright, and warm place, attracting global attention," Kim told reporters.
Starbucks has many branches in South Korea. As of the third quarter of 2024, Starbucks has had 1,980 stores, according to SCK Company, the company that operates Starbucks in the country.
In 2021, Starbucks Corp sold its shares in Starbucks Korea to Starbucks Coffee Korea Co, now known as SCK Company, and the Singapore government wealth fund GIC.
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