Exploring Peace at Aegibong Peace Ecological Park
Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do, is a place where the meaning of peace is reexamined amidst a sense of distance.
Situated in the only joint-use water area (Free-zone) of the Korean Peninsula, this park is gaining recognition as a peace tourism destination that captures the essence of time, nature, and human emotions at the border.
The symbol of Aegibong includes the Jogang Observatory, the Peace Ecological Exhibition Hall, and ecological trails.
From the observatory, visitors can gaze upon the landscapes just 1.4 km away in North Korea, making the reality of division palpable.
The previous observatory, installed in 1978, was renovated and reopened in 2021, with architect Seung Hyo-sang contributing to its design, enhancing the significance of the space.
The Peace Ecological Exhibition Hall is structured around the themes of 'Peace-Ecology-Future.'
In the first area, visitors can view the historical changes in Gimpo and the Jogang River, while the second area showcases the ecological value of the Han River estuary.
The third area presents media art reflecting the inter-Korean summits, Northern policies, and the memories of displaced persons, conveying why this place is a site of healing and hope.
What makes this park special is its portrayal of security and ecology as not opposing forces but as coexisting elements.
The environment of the Han River estuary, shaped after the Korean War, has become a space where nature can breathe, and Aegibong has woven narratives of peace into this landscape.
Thus, this location is not merely a 'viewing tourist site' but rather a 'thought-provoking tourist site.'
Aegibong Peace Ecological Park operates year-round from 09:30 to 17:30, with the last entry at 16:30. The admission fee is 3,000 won for adults, with a 50% discount for Gimpo residents.
As it is located in a restricted area, identification is required, and due to visitor limits, advance reservations are necessary on weekends and holidays.
While the North may be distant from Aegibong, the heart feels strangely close. This distance embodies the reality of division, yet it is also a space where hopes for peace linger.
In this place where the longing of displaced persons, the history of the border, and the breath of ecology converge, we catch a glimpse of a 'future of coexistence.'
Recently, Aegibong Peace Ecological Park has expanded beyond a simple security tourist site to a complex tourism space that combines cultural, ecological, and educational content.
Visitors can enjoy various experiential programs and local tourism resources, attracting families as well as travelers interested in history and ecology.
The park's greatest appeal lies in its transformation from a space of remembering the past to one of imagining the future.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/gyeonggi_gov/224324686717
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