Touching the Scars of the Korean War | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Goseokjeong is one of the nine scenic spots of Cheorwon and the most famous attraction in the area. Towering about 10 meters high in the middle of the Hantan River, a crystal-clear stream flows swirling between the two imposing rock formations. It is said that during the reign of King Jinpyeong of Silla, a two-story pavilion about 10 pyeong in size was built on the middle course of the Hantan River and named Goseokjeong. The pavilion and the valley around Goseok Rock together are called Goseokjeong. Designated as a local monument, it is said that King Jinpyeong of Silla and King Chungsuk of Goryeo visited and enjoyed this place. Goseokjeong became more famous as it was known as the base of Im Geokjeong during the Joseon Dynasty in the era of King Myeongjong. Cheorwon, formed by basalt lava flows in the Quaternary of the Cenozoic era, has the Hantan River flowing from north-northeast to south-southwest, creating columnar joints and vertical cliffs of granite through erosion. Located at the center of the Chugaryeong structural belt and later the passage of the Gyeongwon Line, Cheorwon was a suitable place for Im Geokjeong to hide, as he built a high stone wall opposite Goseokjeong as a mountain fortress base. He resisted the corrupt social class by intercepting tributes passing through this area to the royal court from Hamgyeong-do and aiding the poor. The pavilion was destroyed during the Korean War but was rebuilt in 1971 with local support as a 10-pyeong two-story structure; it was washed away by floods in 1996 and reconstructed again in 1997. Currently, a natural stone chamber where Im Geokjeong hid can be found in the massive 20-meter-high rock in the middle of the river, and a stone fortress remains on the opposite side. This scenic spot remains a national tourist site of Cheorwon’s nine views, attracting visitors year-round. About 2 km upstream are Jiktang Waterfall and about 2 km downstream is Sundam, with wide lawns and multipurpose sports grounds available, making it a favored destination throughout the seasons.

The Second Tunnel in Cheorwon was discovered in 1975 in Hwasaljang-ri, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, and is a tunnel dug for a southern invasion. The total length is 3.5 km, extending 2.4 km north to south, with 1.1 km up to the Military Demarcation Line. It is large enough to move about 30,000 troops per hour. A 500-meter section is open for tours. Inside the tunnel, there is a large plaza capable of accommodating many troops, and the exit branches into three. When the tunnel was discovered, seven South Korean soldiers searching the area were killed by North Korean forces. Developed as a representative security travel destination in South Korea under the Iron Triangle battle site development plan, the Second Tunnel attracts many tourists every year. Inside, there is an exhibition hall explaining the tunnel's structure and North Korea's invasion plans. The view of the DMZ from the Second Tunnel, symbolizing the division between North and South Korea, is extraordinarily beautiful. Currently, it is operated as a DMZ peace tourism course by the Cheorwon County Office, and various other tourist courses are nearby, including the Cheorwon Peace Observatory, monorail, and Cheorwon Durumi Center.

Cheorwon Peace Observatory is located in Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, offering a panoramic view of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and North Korea. Built in 2007, it is about 2km from the South-North Korea border, comprising three floors: the first floor is an exhibition hall, the second floor is the observatory, and the third floor serves as a military rest facility. From the observatory, visitors can see various areas such as Pyonggang Plateau, Seonjeon Village, Baengmagoji, and Mount Kumgang in North Korea. Inside, there is an exhibition explaining the history and culture of the DMZ and North Korea. A 50-seat monorail is installed to easily transport tourists to the observatory. The observatory features various facilities, including a high-precision telescope and a terrain model, enabling visitors to view North Korean landscapes and observe the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a key observation site. Nearby tourist spots include Woljeong-ri Station, a former stop on the Gyeongwon Line famous for , Dongsong Reservoir, which is gaining popularity as a Cheorwon security tour course attraction, and Cheorwon Fortress of Taebong Kingdom built by Gung Ye.