Dec 13, 2014, 6:04 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Members with 90 days and 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the 
(lower right wiki corner)
A wiki might keep this more usable; be sure to update if you're aware of changes.
DMZ, courtesy Koridoor Tours
The official Visit Korea website (English version linked to) has a tour Finder; this link is set to search for Panmunjom, frequently spelled Panmunjeom, as well as the Joint Security Area (JSA) and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). This page lists some tour companies, presumably all ICSC APPROVED.
Note: Panmunjeom is closed Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
Notices
※ Reservations should be made 2 weeks prior to visit, via the local travel agencies designated by United Nations Command - International Cultural Service Club (ICSC) - link to ICSC and further information, contacts (for list of agencies in link provided above).
Address: Eoryong-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do Eoryong-ri
경기 파주시 진서면 어룡리 일대
type: Demilitarized Zone (PLZ)
* Please keep in mind that not all of those that apply will be given permission to tour the Panmunjeom area, however other tours of the DMZ area can be arranged. To see the list of restricted countries, see below.
Introduction
Panmunjeom is located in the demilitarized zone, 50 km north from Seoul and 10 km east from the city of Gaeseong.
This area is most notably known for the peace talks that were held here on October 25, 1951 and was designated as the Joint Security Area on July 27, 1953 when the armistice agreement was signed.
Once used as a management office, Panmunjeom has been used as now a conference room since the Red Cross held an international conference here on September 20, 1971.
It is the only place where North Koreans and South Koreans can come in contact on a daily basis and make efforts towards the peace of Korea.
For much more specific information, tour applications, etc. click here.
Please note some rules required for visitors, including dress code, enforced by the United Nations Command and by extension every tour company.
1. Dress Code
- According to UN Regulations, following attires are not allowed for visitors to Panmunjom
..1) Collarless T-shirt, sleeveless shirt, Tank top, anything similar to bathing suit,
.....(Collarless dress shirt and blouse are acceptable)
..2) Navy working uniform, blue jeans or all types of denim wear
.....(Designer jeans, black jeans and all colors of jeans are included)
..3) Hiking attires and shorts of any kind
..4) Attires those expose entire arm or attires those without back
..5) All types of see-through attires.
..6) Tight knit wear, upper wear, pants, tight fit training wear
..7) Slippers and sandals of any kinds. (Dress sandals and open-toed dress shoes are acceptable)
..8) BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform)
..9) Inappropriate hair style (including excessive hair dying) and too revealing attire are prohibited.
..* Security Escorts from UNCSB-JSA are granted with full authority to discern inappropriate attires in addition to the regulations stated in this guidebook.
..* Anyone with inappropriate attires will not be allowed to enter JSA.
2. Punctuality
...Tour will be canceled for anyone who fails to arrive in Camp Bonifas a minimum of 10 minutes before the tour starts.
3. JSA-Panmunjom is a volatile area where the South and the North are standing face to face. Therefore, all individual activities are prohibited, and visitors must follow the instructions from Security Escorts and other guards.
The USO TOur mentioned by posters is operated by Koridoor, from the USO at Camp Kim; it departs 0730. See post #38 or click here.
Updated 13 December 2014 - JDiver
(lower right wiki corner)A wiki might keep this more usable; be sure to update if you're aware of changes.
DMZ, courtesy Koridoor Tours
The official Visit Korea website (English version linked to) has a tour Finder; this link is set to search for Panmunjom, frequently spelled Panmunjeom, as well as the Joint Security Area (JSA) and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). This page lists some tour companies, presumably all ICSC APPROVED.
Note: Panmunjeom is closed Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
Originally Posted by Visit Korea website
Notices
※ Reservations should be made 2 weeks prior to visit, via the local travel agencies designated by United Nations Command - International Cultural Service Club (ICSC) - link to ICSC and further information, contacts (for list of agencies in link provided above).
*Panmunjom tour can be canceled even after the tour schedule is finalized under following circumstances
- Conferences or any other important events are scheduled/taking place in Panmunjom.
- Submitted documents are found to have false information or grave defects.
- Tours can’t be conducted due to internal reasons of the UNC (National holidays, other holidays, UNC military training, etc)
- Conferences or any other important events are scheduled/taking place in Panmunjom.
- Submitted documents are found to have false information or grave defects.
- Tours can’t be conducted due to internal reasons of the UNC (National holidays, other holidays, UNC military training, etc)
경기 파주시 진서면 어룡리 일대
type: Demilitarized Zone (PLZ)
* Please keep in mind that not all of those that apply will be given permission to tour the Panmunjeom area, however other tours of the DMZ area can be arranged. To see the list of restricted countries, see below.
Introduction
Panmunjeom is located in the demilitarized zone, 50 km north from Seoul and 10 km east from the city of Gaeseong.
This area is most notably known for the peace talks that were held here on October 25, 1951 and was designated as the Joint Security Area on July 27, 1953 when the armistice agreement was signed.
Once used as a management office, Panmunjeom has been used as now a conference room since the Red Cross held an international conference here on September 20, 1971.
It is the only place where North Koreans and South Koreans can come in contact on a daily basis and make efforts towards the peace of Korea.
Please note some rules required for visitors, including dress code, enforced by the United Nations Command and by extension every tour company.
Originally Posted by Regulations
1. Dress Code
- According to UN Regulations, following attires are not allowed for visitors to Panmunjom
..1) Collarless T-shirt, sleeveless shirt, Tank top, anything similar to bathing suit,
.....(Collarless dress shirt and blouse are acceptable)
..2) Navy working uniform, blue jeans or all types of denim wear
.....(Designer jeans, black jeans and all colors of jeans are included)
..3) Hiking attires and shorts of any kind
..4) Attires those expose entire arm or attires those without back
..5) All types of see-through attires.
..6) Tight knit wear, upper wear, pants, tight fit training wear
..7) Slippers and sandals of any kinds. (Dress sandals and open-toed dress shoes are acceptable)
..8) BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform)
..9) Inappropriate hair style (including excessive hair dying) and too revealing attire are prohibited.
..* Security Escorts from UNCSB-JSA are granted with full authority to discern inappropriate attires in addition to the regulations stated in this guidebook.
..* Anyone with inappropriate attires will not be allowed to enter JSA.
2. Punctuality
...Tour will be canceled for anyone who fails to arrive in Camp Bonifas a minimum of 10 minutes before the tour starts.
3. JSA-Panmunjom is a volatile area where the South and the North are standing face to face. Therefore, all individual activities are prohibited, and visitors must follow the instructions from Security Escorts and other guards.
Updated 13 December 2014 - JDiver
Recommended Panmunjom / Panmunjeom JSA and DMZ tours (Korea)?
Oct 5, 2008, 7:54 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 236
Here is the USO site. I believe you need to email their Tour Manager, Geeyoung Youn, at [email protected] to get the dates.
Oct 14, 2008, 10:18 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
It's not easy, but it can be done 
See here for how some Americans did it. Each episode is crazier than the last.
http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1438428757
See here for how some Americans did it. Each episode is crazier than the last.
http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1438428757
http://www.axisofeviltour.com/
Don't think you can do better than the USO tour ... well worth rescheduling some things to go on it.
Oct 14, 2008, 10:19 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Doors are locked, supposedly from the outside so the other nation can't get in.
Oct 10, 2009, 2:19 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 165
Sorry to bump an old post. I'm thinking of doing a combined Tokyo Motor Show and (1st to time) Korea trip.
I want to do the combined DMZ/Panmunjom tour but it seems like the couple sites that people have mentioned here http://affiliates.uso.org/Korea/defa...?contentid=351, http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/tour2.htm (recommended by a friend) and the few that I tried at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/inkorea.kto aren't real good at posting anything about when they have available slots. I know tours don't happen on Monday and holidays.
Can anyone point me to one that is decent and does post availability? I need to buy airplane tickets soon and am antsy about buying w/o knowing if I can even make it to the DMZ. My friend said the tours fill up quickly.
I emailed the guys at http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/main.html but they didn't get back to me yet. I called them maybe 20 mins before closing but the lady couldn't tell me the availability because she was "outside" and told me to call back Monday.
If my time window is last week of October or first week of November and I allow for two days where they do combined tours at http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/sca_1.htm and http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/sca_2.htm, do you think I have a shot at one?
I want to do the combined DMZ/Panmunjom tour but it seems like the couple sites that people have mentioned here http://affiliates.uso.org/Korea/defa...?contentid=351, http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/tour2.htm (recommended by a friend) and the few that I tried at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/inkorea.kto aren't real good at posting anything about when they have available slots. I know tours don't happen on Monday and holidays.
Can anyone point me to one that is decent and does post availability? I need to buy airplane tickets soon and am antsy about buying w/o knowing if I can even make it to the DMZ. My friend said the tours fill up quickly.
I emailed the guys at http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/main.html but they didn't get back to me yet. I called them maybe 20 mins before closing but the lady couldn't tell me the availability because she was "outside" and told me to call back Monday.
If my time window is last week of October or first week of November and I allow for two days where they do combined tours at http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/sca_1.htm and http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/sca_2.htm, do you think I have a shot at one?
Last edited by cwerdna; Oct 10, 2009 at 2:28 am
May 22, 2010, 12:44 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: Alas, the Gravy Train Hath Ended...just happy to be an OW Sapphire and a ST Ivory...whatever
Posts: 4,389
Sorry to bump an old post. I'm thinking of doing a combined Tokyo Motor Show and (1st to time) Korea trip.
I want to do the combined DMZ/Panmunjom tour but it seems like the couple sites that people have mentioned here http://affiliates.uso.org/Korea/defa...?contentid=351, http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/tour2.htm (recommended by a friend) and the few that I tried at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/inkorea.kto aren't real good at posting anything about when they have available slots. I know tours don't happen on Monday and holidays.
Can anyone point me to one that is decent and does post availability? I need to buy airplane tickets soon and am antsy about buying w/o knowing if I can even make it to the DMZ. My friend said the tours fill up quickly.
I emailed the guys at http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/main.html but they didn't get back to me yet. I called them maybe 20 mins before closing but the lady couldn't tell me the availability because she was "outside" and told me to call back Monday.
If my time window is last week of October or first week of November and I allow for two days where they do combined tours at http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/sca_1.htm and http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/sca_2.htm, do you think I have a shot at one?
I want to do the combined DMZ/Panmunjom tour but it seems like the couple sites that people have mentioned here http://affiliates.uso.org/Korea/defa...?contentid=351, http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/tour2.htm (recommended by a friend) and the few that I tried at http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/inkorea.kto aren't real good at posting anything about when they have available slots. I know tours don't happen on Monday and holidays.
Can anyone point me to one that is decent and does post availability? I need to buy airplane tickets soon and am antsy about buying w/o knowing if I can even make it to the DMZ. My friend said the tours fill up quickly.
I emailed the guys at http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/main.html but they didn't get back to me yet. I called them maybe 20 mins before closing but the lady couldn't tell me the availability because she was "outside" and told me to call back Monday.
If my time window is last week of October or first week of November and I allow for two days where they do combined tours at http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/sca_1.htm and http://www.panmunjomtour.com/english/tour/sca_2.htm, do you think I have a shot at one?
I have emails out to the USO Tour company, which is Koridoor Tours (from the USO Korea website at http://affiliates.uso.org/Korea/defa...?contentid=338 and the direct email is [email protected] ) as well as Cosmojin Tours, which looks promising because they have a decent website and sent me a pending confirmation email immediately upon sending (http://www.cosmojin.com/ but a lot of unnecessary flash graphics....) so we shall see.
I will certainly post what I can find. ^
May 24, 2010, 4:51 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: BA, LH, AF, TK
Posts: 213
Koridoor tours
I also sent an inquiry to Koridoor tours recently and just received a reply. They don't have any tours scheduled for this July yet. Whether this is related to the current North/South tension or not, I'm unsure.
I will only be in Seoul for a 22 hour stopover and unfortunately I won't arrive until 11:30 AM. This prevents me taking most of the tours I have seen advertised. However, one of the Koridoor DMZ/Panmunjom tours is supposed to leave Camp David at noon, so I was wondering if it would be possible to make my own way to Imjingak and join the tour there. Unfortunately, I didn't really get an explicit answer to the question. I'm assuming though, that I will probably have to leave Panmunjom for another visit.
It seems though that the 3rd Underground Tunnel + Dora Observatory + Dorasan Station + Unification Village can be done "semi independently" - i.e. make your own way to Imjingak and then join a tour shuttle there (along with everyone arriving on regular tour buses from Seoul/ICN.)
Interested to hear about recent experiences from anyone else.
I will only be in Seoul for a 22 hour stopover and unfortunately I won't arrive until 11:30 AM. This prevents me taking most of the tours I have seen advertised. However, one of the Koridoor DMZ/Panmunjom tours is supposed to leave Camp David at noon, so I was wondering if it would be possible to make my own way to Imjingak and join the tour there. Unfortunately, I didn't really get an explicit answer to the question. I'm assuming though, that I will probably have to leave Panmunjom for another visit.
It seems though that the 3rd Underground Tunnel + Dora Observatory + Dorasan Station + Unification Village can be done "semi independently" - i.e. make your own way to Imjingak and then join a tour shuttle there (along with everyone arriving on regular tour buses from Seoul/ICN.)
Interested to hear about recent experiences from anyone else.
May 24, 2010, 6:31 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
It seems though that the 3rd Underground Tunnel + Dora Observatory + Dorasan Station + Unification Village can be done "semi independently" - i.e. make your own way to Imjingak and then join a tour shuttle there (along with everyone arriving on regular tour buses from Seoul/ICN.)
We took a bus from ICN to Imjingak, our tour guide got off and arranged tickets, then we transferred to another bus with several other tour groups for the actual tour. Entire round tip, including a stop for lunch on the way back, took about seven hours.
So it seems you could make your way to Imjingak and then join a tour, but I have no idea if the folks in the ticket office at Imjingak speak anything other than Korean as we had no interaction with them. I'd say 90% of the people on the tour were South Korean.
May 25, 2010, 6:51 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: Alas, the Gravy Train Hath Ended...just happy to be an OW Sapphire and a ST Ivory...whatever
Posts: 4,389
The Panmunjoem/JSA is closed until further notice due to the situation in Korea...I got several notices of "military exercises"... 
...during the time I will be in Seoul. I was told that at least one place will be available daily to view the DMZ at all times, so I guess I will have to make do with that.
Thanks, kim jong il for screwing up my Cold War travel plans by sinking that ship...you coulda had some cool photos and some hard Western currency from yours truly had you not...ya moron 
...during the time I will be in Seoul. I was told that at least one place will be available daily to view the DMZ at all times, so I guess I will have to make do with that. Thanks, kim jong il for screwing up my Cold War travel plans by sinking that ship...you coulda had some cool photos and some hard Western currency from yours truly had you not...ya moron
Jun 24, 2010, 10:41 pm
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,438
The Panmunjoem/JSA is closed until further notice due to the situation in Korea...I got several notices of "military exercises"... ...during the time I will be in Seoul. I was told that at least one place will be available daily to view the DMZ at all times, so I guess I will have to make do with that.
...during the time I will be in Seoul. I was told that at least one place will be available daily to view the DMZ at all times, so I guess I will have to make do with that.
Jul 16, 2010, 1:24 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Antonio, USA
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 595
I just booked a USO/Koridoor tour for early August. No mention of it being not available. You can make a reservation, but it is not secured until you pay.
$77 for US civilians. The tour agenda is as below (from Koridoor email).
07:30 Departure from Camp Kim USO. We don't provide pick-up service.
09:00 20 Minute Briefing at Ballinger Hall in JSA and then tour to the JSA area
11:20 The Third infiltration, Dora observatory, Dorasan Station.
12:20 Lunch at a Korea Restaurant. (It is not included)
15:30 Return to the Camp Kim USO
Hope that helps with current info.
fp
$77 for US civilians. The tour agenda is as below (from Koridoor email).
07:30 Departure from Camp Kim USO. We don't provide pick-up service.
09:00 20 Minute Briefing at Ballinger Hall in JSA and then tour to the JSA area
11:20 The Third infiltration, Dora observatory, Dorasan Station.
12:20 Lunch at a Korea Restaurant. (It is not included)
15:30 Return to the Camp Kim USO
Hope that helps with current info.
fp
Aug 23, 2010, 2:57 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 349
I spoke to someone from the USO this morning. They are taking reservations for tours in September. But they don't do tours everyday, e.g. they're not doing one on the Sat in the first week of Sept whilst I'm there.
I went with the company in Lotte Hotel last September. I don't think it matters which company we go with since the same places are covered anyway.
I went with the company in Lotte Hotel last September. I don't think it matters which company we go with since the same places are covered anyway.
Aug 23, 2010, 7:28 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I spoke to someone from the USO this morning. They are taking reservations for tours in September. But they don't do tours everyday, e.g. they're not doing one on the Sat in the first week of Sept whilst I'm there.
I went with the company in Lotte Hotel last September. I don't think it matters which company we go with since the same places are covered anyway.
I went with the company in Lotte Hotel last September. I don't think it matters which company we go with since the same places are covered anyway.
It might be that this is in response to the current tensions between N. Korea and S. Korea.
Sep 4, 2010, 2:02 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 349
Anyone who plans to go to the JSA, please check the passport requirements. Some passports require a seven day check for security clearance!
My Singapore passport was fine for a 24 hour reservation last year but this year, I can't go when I tried making a reservation 72 hours prior to travel.
The list of restricted countries was apparently 15 last year but is now 42.
I was given some reason about Singapore's ties with China and having 'many' Chinese residents...
Hmmm... how did they know I was Agent 033 and I was there to take surveillance photos??!
Incidentally, I was also told by security this morning not to take pictures of the World Trade Centre! A pity... the building looked rather nice through my fish-eye.
My Singapore passport was fine for a 24 hour reservation last year but this year, I can't go when I tried making a reservation 72 hours prior to travel.
The list of restricted countries was apparently 15 last year but is now 42.
I was given some reason about Singapore's ties with China and having 'many' Chinese residents...
Hmmm... how did they know I was Agent 033 and I was there to take surveillance photos??!
Incidentally, I was also told by security this morning not to take pictures of the World Trade Centre! A pity... the building looked rather nice through my fish-eye.
