Paju City Aims to Develop the DMZ into a World-Class Hub for Peace and Ecological Tourism

Paju City Hosts "DMZ Peace Tourism Future Vision Innovation Forum"
Declares Bold Leap as a Global Hub for Peace and Ecology
Proactively Responds to Regulatory Easing Including Northward Shift of Civilian Control Line
Seeks Sustainable, Future-Oriented Development Strategies

Paju City in Gyeonggi Province, led by Mayor Son Baechan, has begun earnest efforts to develop the DMZ into a world-class hub for peace and ecological tourism, aligning itself with the current trend of easing regulations in border areas such as the northward movement of the Civilian Control Line.

Paju City successfully held the "DMZ Peace Tourism Future Vision Innovation Forum" on the 28th at the Panmunjom Tour Support Center. Photo by Paju City

On September 28, Paju City successfully held the "DMZ Peace Tourism Future Vision Innovation Forum" at the Panmunjom Tour Support Center and declared its bold leap forward as a future-oriented peace tourism city, according to the city on September 29.

The forum was organized to proactively respond to the recent trend of eased security regulations and to establish sustainable growth momentum for Paju DMZ tourism. About 150 participants, including Mayor Son Baechan, National Assemblyman Park Jung, Paju City Council Chairman Choi Yugak, tourism experts, and local residents, attended the event and revisited the DMZ's ecological, historical, and peace-related values.

The forum proceeded in the order of keynote presentations, a panel discussion by experts, and an open Q&A session. The first speaker, Park Yongshik, former Director of the Gangwon Province Peaceful Region Development Headquarters, presented on "Sustainable Tourism Regulation Reforms in Paju" and proposed legal and institutional improvements to revitalize tourism in border areas.

Next, Haryoungjae, Visiting Professor at Hallym University, presented the "DMZ Regional Economic Revitalization Strategy," outlining a coexistence model in which the use of DMZ resources leads to tangible economic benefits for local residents.

In the comprehensive discussion moderated by former Paju Mayor Choi Jonghwan, public-private cooperation strategies that consider both residents' daily lives and tourism were discussed. Participants exchanged views on transferring the Panmunjom tour operations from the Ministry of Unification to Paju City, creating linked tourism courses with sites such as Heojunmyo, Haemaru Village, and Deokjin Fortress, and simplifying entry procedures for the Civilian Control Line.

Paju Mayor Son Baekchan is giving a welcoming speech at the "DMZ Peace Tourism Future Vision Innovation Forum" held at the Panmunjom Tour Support Center on the 28th. Provided by Paju City

Mayor Son Baechan of Paju City emphasized, "Changes in the security environment, such as the northward shift of the Civilian Control Line and regulatory easing, present a golden opportunity and a historical turning point for Paju DMZ peace tourism. Based on the in-depth recommendations from experts and residents shared today, we will do our utmost to establish the Paju DMZ as a world-renowned destination for peace and ecological tourism, moving beyond the pain of division to a place sought after by people worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.