• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.272-287
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• 2019

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established in 1953 by the Korean War Armistice Agreement. It extends from the estuary of the Imjin River, in the west, to the coast of the East Sea. It is 4 km in width and 148 km in length. However, the ecosystems of the civilian control zone (CCZ) located between the southern border of the DMZ and the civilian control line (CCL) and the CCZ in the estuary of the Han River and the Yellow Sea are similar to those in the DMZ, and, therefore, the ecosystems of the DMZ and the CCZ are collectively known as the "ecosystems of the DMZ and its vicinities." The flora in the DMZ and its vicinities is composed of 1,864 species, which accounts for about 42% of all the vascular plant species on the Korean Peninsula and its affiliated islands. Conducting a detailed survey on the vegetation, flora, and fauna in the DMZ is almost impossible due to the presence of landmines and limitations on the time allowed to be spent in the DMZ. However, to assess the environmental impact of the Munsan-Gaesong railroad reconstruction project, it was possible to undertake a limited vegetation survey within the DMZ in 2001. The vegetation in Jangdan-myeon, in Paju City within the DMZ, was very simple. It was mostly secondary forests dominated by oaks such as Quercus mongolica, Q. acutissima, and Q. variabilis. The other half of the DMZ in Jangdan-myeon was occupied by grassland composed of tall grasses such as Miscanthus sinensis, M. sacchariflorus, and Phragmites japonica. Contrary to the expectation that the DMZ may be covered with pristine mature forests due to more than 60 years of no human interference, the vegetation in the DMZ was composed of simple secondary forests and grasslands formed on former rice paddies and agricultural fields. At present, the only legal protection system planned for the DMZ is the Natural Environment Conservation Act, which ensures that the DMZ would be managed as a nature reserve for only two years following Korean reunification. Therefore, firstly, the DMZ should be designated as a site of domestic legally protected areas such as nature reserve (natural monument), scenic site, national park, etc. In addition, we need to try to designate the DMZ as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve or as a World Heritage site, or as a Ramsar international wetland for international cooperation. For nomination as a world heritage site, we can emphasize the ecological and landscape value of the wetlands converted from the former rice paddies and the secondary forests maintained by frequent fires initiated by military activities. If the two Koreas unexpectedly reunite without any measures in place for the protection of nature in the DMZ, the conditions prior to the Korean War, such as rice paddies and villages, will return. In order to maintain the current condition of the ecosystems in the DMZ, we have to discuss and prepare for measures including the retention of mines and barbed-wire fences, the construction of roads and railroads in the form of tunnels or bridges, and the maintenance of the current fire regime in the DMZ.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2020

In this study, we 1) identified the damaged areas along the south limit line (SLL) of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) by the military's 'DMZ barren land campaign', and 2) categorized the identified damaged areas into a few ecological types. Using high-resolution satellite images, we delineated the total damaged areas to be 1,183.2 ha, which accounted for 50.1% of the 100-m northern buffer regions from the SLL. Of the total damaged areas, 16% were severely damaged, i.e., they had been damaged until recently and so remained barren without vegetation cover. In other areas, the levels of damage were either moderate (59.9%) or slight (24.1%), due to natural succession that turned those areas to grassland or forest. Using satellite image-derived land cover maps and climatic and topographic data, we categorized the damaged areas into seven types: lowland grassland (19.8%), western lowland forest (21.4%), low-altitude forest (25.5%), mid-altitude forest (18.4%), high-altitude forest (6.8%), vicinity in east coast (7.9%), and waterbody (0.2%). These types can be used to identify proper measures to restore ecosystems in the DMZ for now and after Korean reunification.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.216-241
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• 2019

There are 35 cultural properties of fourteen kinds in the Demilitarized Zone known so far, but this number is expected to increase in the future. Among them, Cheolwon-Doseong and Jeongol-Chong of Gimhwa should be the first step toward conservation efforts by conducting a joint investigation through the collaboration of North and South Korea. In particular, the joint investigation of Cheolwon-Doseong will not only remind the North and South that they are the same people who have had common history and cultural traditions for a long time, but will also give symbolic meaning to convert the demilitarized zone into a stage for peace. Since Jeongol-Chong is a mass grave of the fallen soldiers of Pyeongan Province who fought against the invasion of the Qing of China, it should be managed as a national designated cultural asset through joint investigation. In addition, the Demilitarized Zone should become a World Heritage Site because of its importance to the legacy of the Korean War, an international war caused by an ideological confrontation. Furthermore, it has more than 6,000 kinds of temperate forests in addition to 100 species of endangered species and natural monuments. The DMZ is very qualified to be a World Natural Heritage Site, and should be included as a World Complex Cultural Heritage Site that qualifies as a World Heritage and World Natural Heritage Site. In the Demilitarized Zone, we can also find numerous highlands, tunnels and posts used during the Korean War, as well as surveillance posts, a military demarcation line, barbed wire fences, and Panmunjom, which were created by the armistice agreement. it would be desirable to select some of its sections and war facilities and to register them as modern cultural heritage assets. Finally, it is necessary to reconstruct the Dorasan Signal Fire Site, which was the communication facility of a traditional era which connected the South (Dorasan) and North (Gaesong). This would symbolize smooth communication between the two Koreas. In order to prepare for the reckless development of the Demilitarized Zone due to the upcoming cease-fire, the government and cultural asset experts will have to work hard to identify and preserve the cultural properties of the Demilitarized Zone, and they will also have to maintain consistent control over matters such as indiscriminate investigation and mine clearance.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.268-287
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• 2022

This study reports newly discovered seven forest wetlands in the western part of the Korean Demilitarized Zone-Civilian Control Zone ecoregion. The wetland assessment criteria proposed by National Arboretum were adopted to evaluate four fields: vegetation and landscape, biogeochemical cycle, hydraulics and hydrology, and social-cultural-historical landscape and disturbances. Among seven wetlands located in Gimpo and Paju, five were of the fallow field type and two were of the natural type. A total of 474 plant species were recorded, including nine rare plants, such as the Carex capricornis Meinsh. ex Maxim. Three forest wetlands were sorted into A-grade, three into B-grade, and one into C-grade. Monitoring forest wetlands scattered across the border area ruled by military regulations can be challenging; still, as forest wetlands with high conservation value turned out, further investigations through remote sensing and cooperation by the relevant agencies will be required.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.5_1
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• pp.545-557
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• 2022

This study used high-resolution satellite images and supervised classification technique based on machine learning method in order to detect the areas affected by wildfires in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) where direct access is difficult. Sentinel-2 A/B was used for high-resolution satellite images. Land cover map was calculated based on the SVM supervised classification technique. In order to find the optimal combination to classify the DMZ wildfire damage area, supervised classification according to various kernel and band combinations in the SVM was performed and the accuracy was evaluated through the error matrix. Verification was performed by comparing the results of the wildfire detection based on satellite image and data by the wildfire statistical annual report in 2020 and 2021. Also, wildfire damage areas was detected for which there is no current data in 2022. This is to quickly determine reliable results.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.89-95
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• 2005

Understanding of routes of migratory birds are important subject for conservation of avifauna. Korea Demilitarized zone (DMZ) is considered as one of the most important stopover for migratory birds that pass in the Korean peninsula. This region has been known internationally as an excellent nature preservation areas since 1953. Rare and endangered animal species such as leopards (Pathera pardus) and Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris) have increased in population. Furthermore this areas provide home for endangered migratory birds including white-naped (Grus vipio) and red-crowned cranes (G. japonensis). Recent satellite-tracked crane species has shown the importance and linkages between a small number of habitat sites in DMZ. White-naped cranes were satellite tracked 9 individuals spent 27-78% of their time in Panmunjum and 10-75% in Cheolwon. This signifies the rich feeding sites with relatively little disturbance thus making the DMZ extremely valuable as a stopover.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.16 no.3_1
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• pp.57-67
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• 2016

This article reviewed the status of military force on the DMZ(demilitarized zone) without any confidential problems after literature reviewing on a ceasefire agreement and these powerful military force is judged to be a very serious setback to peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Also it suggests the ways to reduce inter-korean military force based on the political and economic phenomenon to preparing for an era of reunification of the Korean Peninsula. The easing of tension on the inter-korean military force is an essential element in building infrastructure of peaceful reunification. From now on, both Seoul and Pyongyang might check inter-Korea exchange cooperation Project and reconcile their differences. Primarily, The troops of DMZ would be minimized by Modernization for Military confidence-building. Increasing North-South hotline as possible further, it could contributes to ease of tension in case of emergency. Political and economic plans should be presented that do not arise the military tension simultaneously with ensuring political and economic aspects in the North Korea's regime.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.65-65
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• 2002

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.24-24
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• 2019

DMZ 및 접경지역은 지난 60여 년간 인간의 간섭을 받지 않아 세계적으로 우수한 생태계의 보고이며, 백두대간, 도서연안과 함께 한반도 3대 핵심생태축의 하나로서 한반도생태계보전을 위한 가장 중요한 지역이다. 이러한 DMZ 및 접경지역에 대하여 국내적 중요성 인식 제고뿐만 아니라 국제적으로도 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs)으로서의 가치인식을 위해 IUCN에서 제시하는 평가기준을 검토하고 이의 기준을 적용하여 DMZ의 생물다양성에 대한 국제적 가치정도 판단 및 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs)으로서의 보전방안을 수립하고자 한다. 첫째, DMZ 일대를 대상으로 서식하는 자생식물의 분포지역을 파악하여 DMZ 및 접경지역의 식물상은 18과 139속 367종 1아종 44변종 10품종 422분류군으로, 총 138과 613속 1,517종 8아종 217변종 58품종으로 총 1,800분류군으로 확인되었다. 본 연구대상지의 동부지역에서 가장 많은 1,482분류군, 중부지역은 1,225분류군, 서부지역은 1,080분류군으로 가장 적은수의 식물이 확인되었다. 둘째, DMZ 및 접경지역을 대상으로 객관적이고 정량적인 방법을 통한 DMZ 및 접경지역의 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs) 지정기준을 적용하여 개느삼, 금강초롱, 모데미풀 3종을 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs) 후보종으로 선정하였다. 후보종별로 분포예측 결과 전체 면적 $5,270.5km^2$ 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs) 지정을 제안하였다. 셋째, 지정기준을 통하여 선정된 DMZ 및 접경지역에 서식하는 주요 식물에 대한 국제적 가치를 판단하여 우리나라 상황에 맞는 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs)을 적용함으로써 효과적인 관리방안으로 투명하고 체계화된 국제적 기준으로 해당 지역 내의 생물종 다양성을 지속가능하게 보호하기 위한 구체적인 방향 설정 및 관리를 위한 노력이 이루어질 수 있도록 유도 할 수 있다. 수집된 자료를 통하여 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs)에 적합한 종을 중심으로 보호구역을 지정하고 국내적으로 중요한 지역적 멸종위기종에 대한 적용을 추가적으로 진행하여 식물다양성이 중요한 지역의 보호를 위한 우선순위 및 구체적 접근계획을 수립할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. 국가적인 차원에서 DMZ 및 접경지역의 지속적인 조사를 통하여 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs)기준 적용에 필요한 기초자료를 충분히 수집하고 국내 환경에 부합하는 중요생물다양성지역(KBAs)기준 적용을 통하여 꾸준히 재평가하여 후속연구의 발판을 마련하여야 한다.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.617-643
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• 2019

The Demilitarized Zone(DMZ) is a buffer zone set between the southern and northern limit lines established after the 1953 Armistice Agreement. It is an important natural environment conservation area where wild species of animals and plants live. On the other hand, the development pressure on the DMZ will increase when the inter-Korean economic cooperation is activated in the future. As a result, DMZ development should consider not only the economic cost-benefit aspects, but also how to assess and conserve the biodiversity of the DMZ, as well as the recovery costs and budget. This paper develope a sustainable DMZ management model under biodiversity uncertainly by using real option approach. The model is also designed to reflect the political risk and regional specificity of the DMZ. Through empirical analysis, I derive the biodiversity threshold (b^*) that can secure the DMZ investment economy under uncertainty. In addition, through the sensitivity analysis, I derive the factors influencing the biodiversity threshold, and suggest the policy implications for sustainable management of DMZ.