Usually when I read about North Korea, I read about their nuclear arms and the poverty in the country. I haven't heard much about the Demilitarised Zone between North Korea and South Korea. I thought of the Demilitarised Zone as a simple line dividng the two countries. Turns out it is quite an haven for wildlife.
It has been a no man's land for over 50 years and because of that, the band of land has also become a wildlife sanctuary that is the home to some of the world's rarest birds as well as a variety of plant and animal life.
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=8552
Very interesting. It is like the one place on the planet people aren't destroying. I know there are parks and wildlife refuges throughout the world but this land has literally not been invaded by man in 50 years. While providing a habitat for plants and wildlife is certainly not the purpose of the Demilitarised Zone, it is still positive effect of having this heavily fortified land. It is 383 sq miles. It is almost as though they have troops around the land to protect the animals.
Turner said he hopes for peace on the peninsula and for the park to come to life once the two Koreas sign a peace treaty and are united.
"You can't have a peace park without peace," Turner said.
But Turner isn't completely right. There is peace for the animals. It is their park for now.
Of course, this is all incredibly ironic that this peaceful land was caused by war. And technically, North Korea and South Korea are still at war. What is even more ironic is the Demilitarised Zone is threatened by peace. Fortunately, it appears that the leaders of each country are interested in using the space for peace. Hopefully, this includes peace for the animals as well.
The DMZ is truly a ready made nature preserve. While it may be all well and good for Turner to create his peace park there, it seems a little better to keep the zone just as it is now. Maybe with a few less mines, though. Apparently, the deer step on them now and then.