Tour Through Time: Stop 10: Mount Kumgang Checkpoint

It’s been a delightful 154 miles; the weather has been lovely (mostly) and Rich has finally found his trainers! We now arrive at the Eastern side of the North-South Divide, at the Mount Kumgang Checkpoint.

When Japan withdrew from Korea in 1945 following their surrender at the end of World War II, the USA, Soviet Union, China and Great Britain decided to run Korea for 5 years under a Four Power Trusteeship, after which Korea would become independent again. The country was divided into two halves along the 38^th parallel, from Mount Kumgang west across the country, with the Soviet Union occupying the North and USA occupying the South. General Choi chose to join the South Korean army because of his opposition to communism, and in 1946 was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant.

The Soviet Union withdrew most of its forces from North Korea in 1948 and unification talks began, but South Korea’s new President, Syngman Rhee, was a hard-line anti-communist and wasn’t keen. Both sides began to fear the other’s true intention was to take over the other with their own government, and talks remained unsuccessful.

Despite withdrawing most of its forces from North Korea, the Soviet Union left many tanks, aircraft and heavy weapons, unlike the USA, who feared any heavy weaponry left in South Korea would not be used solely for internal peacekeeping. This notably weakened South Korea, and led to Kim Il-Sung’s forces invading South Korea on 25^th June 1950 in the start of the Korean War. The Korean War lasted for just over 3 years, during which time General Choi had reached the rank of Brigadier General. The United Nations intervened in the war, allowing the US Navy and Air Force to assist South Korea. Eventually an armistice was suggested by India and ceasefire finally ensued on 27^th July 1953. Battle lines were drawn approximately where they had begun along the 38^th parallel and so around this the Demilitarized Zone was established, 2.5miles wide.

We will mark our arrival with 154 Bulgarian Split Squats before continuing 102 miles west along the North-South Divide.