Historical Road of Korean

Korea war, DMZ, 3rd infiltration tunnel and abductees.

Have you heard about South Korean abductees? During the Korean War, a large number of South Koreans were abducted. The reasons for North Korea’s abduction of South Koreans were diverse. Most abductees were subjected to compulsory labor or recruited into the North Korean army. Some unfortunate individuals were labeled as North Koreans due to the sudden establishment of the Military Demarcation Line while they were working near the border. Additionally, celebrities, elites, and people in the literary world were targeted to use their reputation for propaganda purposes. The total number of abductees is estimated to be approximately 100,000.

Lives as Defectors

Meanwhile, many of the abductees are considered defectors by the public. The South Korean government collected information and evidence about the abductees and their situation shortly after the beginning of the Korean War. Both the South Korean government and the families of the abductees have continuously sought information about their whereabouts, sending lists and inquiries to North Korea. However, responses from North Korea have been delayed, and only a few cases have been confirmed.

Finally, accept as Abductees

Due to the consistent efforts of their families and the government, the National Memorial Hall of the Korean War Abductees was established in 2017 at Imjingak Park. That is located near the entrance of the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. This memorial hall showcases the history of North Korean abductions up to the present day. For a deeper understanding of the Korean War, a visit here is highly recommended.

National memorial for Abductees during the Korean war

Website:
https://www.abductions625.go.kr/home/en/index.html

Opening hours:
TUE to SUN
MAR to OCT 09:30 – 17:30
NOV to FEB 10:00 – 17:00

Admission:
Free

Guide tour:
Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more with reservations made at least one week in advance.

Address:
Gyeonggi-do, Paju-si, Munsan-eup, Imjingak-ro, 153 KR

Parking:
Available with paying

For group tour

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