Introduction
Kaesong is located right by the JSA on the southern end of the DPRK. 193,000 people reside within the 1309 square kilometer area. Of which, 55% of it estimated to be forested, and 80% of those trees are pine trees, giving Kaesong its title “The City of Pines”. It is one of the most historic regions of the entire peninsula, immediately bringing up thoughts of past kingdoms wherever its name is heard. The city was the capital of the Koryo dynasty, one of the most revered eras of the peninsula’s history and the first unified kingdom of the Korean peninsula. The region was involved in various other kingdoms as well, including being the capital of the Koryo dynasties short-lived predecessor, the Taebong kingdom. Multiple tombs of the ancient kings are on location and available for discovery, notably the well-kept mounds of the Tomb of King Kongmin. The Koryo History Museum, which is located on the remains of an ancient Confucianism school, also pays testament to the area’s roots. An internationally famous stamp shop, where guests can purchase Kaesong’s legendary ginseng is located just outside of the museum complex. Other ancient relics and sites are preserved at Kaesong as well, such as the Sonjuk Bridge, where an assassination happened that changed the course of the peninsula’s history. In a contemporary perspective, the region still has a trend of being in flux having switched states this past century, it previously claimed by South Korea after World War II. But after the Korean War and as a part of the negotiations during the armistice signing, North Korea was awarded ownership, making it the only noteworthy city to switch hands as a result of the war. Since then, in the past decade, Kaesong is known for its special economic zone status, where North and South Korea work together toward the same goals. The area is home to 120 different factories, most of them being light-industry. Koreans from both the North and South work in unison at these factories. The Kaesong Industrial Zone has been closed down as of 2016. Kaesong has a rich history and would like to share it, accommodations are available to tourists at the modest Folk Village Hotel.