SKorea re-opens Panmumjom border area to tourists

South Korea re-opened Panmunjom border area to visitors after demilitarizing its side of the Joint Security Area. The demilitarization process began in October as part of the inter-Korean military agreement from the summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in September

Panmunjom: Dozens of tourists from North and South Korea looked at each other curiously from the border village of Panmunjom, some waving and taking photos.

South Korea re-opened Panmunjom to visitors on Wednesday after demilitarising its side of the Joint Security Area (JSA).

The demilitarisation process began in October as part of the inter-Korean military agreement from the summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in September.

Lieutenant Colonel Sean Morrow, the UN Command Security Battalion Commander, said Panmunjom had been demined, weapons were removed from towers and guards no longer carried guns.

"What once was a vibe of tension is now a vibe of peace," said Morrow.

With stalled denuclearisation negotiations, however, the South and North have not reached an agreement for fully opening the JSA to enable North Korean and South Korean tourists to visit each other's side.