PSA: Currently the DMZ is closed by South Korean authorities due to an outbreak of African swine flu among pigs, believed to be spread by wild boars. Apparently it doesn't affect humans, but the concern is to prevent an epidemic among farm animals which would likely lead to restrictions on the import of agricultural products from ROC into many other countries. Local news is reporting that fifteen pigs (presumably on fifteen different farms close to the border with North Korea) has been found to be infected. Officials seem to be out in the area looking for wild boar, dead or alive.

All DMZ tours are cancelled.

[It will be interesting to see whether the Warmbiers succeeded in their announced plan to visit the DMZ before leaving Korea.]

I think its been closed since early October. Bummer, as I'm here now and was trying to arrange a JSA tour prior to coming over. Some of the tour operators will take your reservations (and money), call you the day before the tour and inform you that the DMZ is closed to tours and try and steer you to an alternative tour.

The DMZ has basically been closed for over a year or more now. This is due to (currently) African Swine Flu, but in the past - any kind of "military training," presidential visit, summit, politician meeting. So, the tour companies generally still advertise it as available because they might get *one* day to do it...but as MSP said, they often will cancel the day before and offer a much less inferior tour (which you don't have to take and you can get a refund).