NYAA Gold Expedition 2007

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NYAA GOLD

ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY 2007

SUMMARY REPORT

Compiled by: VSL Nicholas Koh

Date: 16 August 2009


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13th Korea DMZ Peace Trek 2007National Youth Achievement Award

Expeditions Section

Done By: Nicholas Koh Yong Zhi

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CONTENTSPERSONAL PARTICULARS..................................................................................................................... 3

NEXT-OF-KIN PARTICULARS ............................................................................................................... 4

EMERGENCY CONTACTS IN KOREA.................................................................................................. 4ADDRESS OF SINGAPORE MISSION IN KOREA: ............................................................................................ 4

CONTACTS OF SINGAPORE MISSION IN KOREA:.......................................................................................... 4

EQUIPMENT LIST ..................................................................................................................................... 5

GENERAL INFORMATION...................................................................................................................... 6

DMZ BACKGROUND INFORMATION.................................................................................................. 7

KOREAN WAR BATTLEFIELDS DMZ .......................................................................................................... 7

OBJECTIVES OF THE 13TH

DMZPEACE TREK .............................................................................................. 7

DAY 1 9 AUGUST 2007............................................................................................................................ 8

REFLECTIONS OF DAY 1 ........................................................................................................................ 9

DAY 2 10 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 10

IMJINGAK ................................................................................................................................................. 11

DORA OBSERVATION PLATFORM.............................................................................................................. 12

TYPHOON OBSERVATORY......................................................................................................................... 13

REFLECTIONS OF DAY 2 ...................................................................................................................... 14

DAY 3 11 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 15

LABOR PARTY BUILDING ......................................................................................................................... 15

WOLJEONG-RI STATION............................................................................................................................ 16

THE IRON TRIANGLE ZONE....................................................................................................................... 16

THE SECOND UNDERGROUND TUNNEL..................................................................................................... 17


DAY 4 12 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 19


DAY 5 13 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 25

TOUR OF ARMY BARRACKS...................................................................................................................... 28

ARMY EXPERIENCE .................................................................................................................................. 33

NIGHT TREK ............................................................................................................................................. 35


DAY 6 14 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 37

PUNCH BOWL ........................................................................................................................................... 37


DAY 7 15 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 40

UNIFICATION OBSERVATORY ................................................................................................................... 40


DAY 8 16 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 43

CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................................... 43

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Personal Particulars

Name Nicholas Koh Yong Zhi

NRIC S8411721H

Age 23+

Gender Male

Citizenship Singaporean

Contact Number 97652516

Residential AddressBLK 134 Lorong Ah Soo #08-466

Singapore 530134

Blood type A+

Allergies Amoxil

Dietary Restrictions NIL

Medical Conditions NIL

Medications NIL

School NA

Scout Troop Cuon Scout Troop

Year joined Scouting 1993

Highest Award inScouting

NA

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Next-of-kin Particulars

Name Lau Kim Choo

NRIC S1413388G

Relationship Mother

Contact Number 81324639

Residential AddressBLK 134 Lorong Ah Soo #08-466

Singapore 530134

Emergency Contacts in Korea

Address of Singapore Mission in Korea:

28th Floor, Seoul Finance Centre84 Taepyungro 1-gaChung-gu, Seoul 100-768, Republic of KoreaEmail: [email protected]

Contacts of Singapore Mission in Korea:

001-82-(2) 774-2464, 774-2465, 774-2466, 774-2467

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Equipment List

CONTENTS QTY

- Backpack 1- Eating Utensils (mess tin, fork & spoon) 1 Set- Water bottle (1litre) 2- Rain Coat 1- Sleeping Bag 1- Personal toiletries (toothbrush, towel, etc) 1 Set- T-shirts 7- Jacket / Windbreaker 1- Shorts 3- trekking / hiking pants 4- Socks 7

- Undergarments 8- Track Shoes 1 Pair- Slippers / Sandals 1 Pair- Scouts Uniform (with Singapore flag badge) 2 Set- Stationery (Notebook, Pen, Pencil, Markers) 1 Set- Camera 1- Torch light 1- Spare Batteries 4 AA- Personal First Aid Kit 1 Set- Passport & Tickets 1 EA- Money

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General Information

Title: 13th DMZ Peace Trekking

(The 100th Anniversary of Scouting)

Dates: 9 -16 August 2007

Location: Korean War Battlefields DMZ

Organizers: Korea Scout Association

Participants:

- 13 ~ 24 years of age Scouts from Korea, overseas, and non-Scouts

youths.

- Scout Leaders from Korea and overseas (Staff and Troop Leaders).

- 155 participants from Korea and overseas Scouts participated in thisevent.

- Overseas Scouts include: Hong Kong (9 participants) and Thailand (1participant).

- Singapore Participants: 10 3 Leaders, 4 Rovers, 3 Ventures.

Singapore Team:

Contingent Leader: Mr Gavin Pah.Asst. Contingent Leader: Ms Alicia Goh.Asst. Contingent Leader: Mr Nicholas Koh

Adult Leaders: Gavin Pah, Alicia Goh, & Nicholas Koh.Rovers: Chris Khoo, Ng Hweeshiang, Jojo Ong, & Ong Aileng.Ventures: Leonard, Kexin, Tee Yong.

The Team was organized into 5 groups:

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5

Gavin Pah Ong Aileng Ng Hweeshiang Alicia Goh Nicholas Koh

Jojo Ong Tee Yong Leonard Kexin Chris Khoo

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DMZ Background Information

The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the KoreanPeninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The

DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on anangle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and the east endlying north of it. It is 155 miles (248 km) long and approximately 2.5 miles (4 km)wide, and is the most heavily armed border in the world.

Korean War Battlefields DMZ

The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, and ended with a cease-fire onJuly 27, 1953. 16 countries dispatched combat troops to help the South and 5others sent medical supplies. Ever since, Korea has been divided into South andNorth. The DMZ divided the Korean peninsula in half, a 2km area on either sideof the border (MDL) where North and South Korea both cease military activitiesand offensive activities. It is also an invaluable ecosystem preservation area forrare plants and animal species.

Objectives of the 13thDMZ Peace Trek

- Enhance the will towards the Koreas reunification and peace- Contribute to the world peace and unity- Share friendship through the trekking

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DAY 1 9 August 2007

TIME ACTIVITIES1100hrs Assemble at Nam-sung elementary school (Chung-ju, Chung-buk)

1100hrs Registration1130hrs Logistics & Supplies organization1200hrs Lunch1400hrs Trek to the Chungcheongbuk-do Office of Education1430hrs Opening ceremony rehearsal1500hrs Opening ceremony1540hrs Street March1700hrs Camp & Sleeping areas assigning1800hrs Dinner1900hrs Group Meeting2130hrs Equipment preparation, maintenance & Wash up2200hrs Lights out

Assembly & Registration Pictures:

Opening Ceremony:

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Reflections of Day 1

We arrived at the Incheon International Airport South Koreas internationalairport, at about 7am (Koreas time). The Korean Scouts were very kind to pick

us up from the airport; many of them had to travel for 3 hours to the airport. Atthe airport, we also met Scouts from Thailand and Hong Kong who were alsohere to participate in this event.

We moved on to the assembly area at Nam-sung elementary school located inChung-ju, which is a 3 hour ride from the airport. At Nam-sung elementaryschool, here we were divided into our different groups. I was paired with Chris ingroup 5, and our group had about 18 other Korean Scouts.

The Korean Scouts were very shy, probably because they were afraid tocommunicate in English. We were told that they had learned English as their

second language, but in South Korea they very proud of their Korean heritage, somany times they prefer to communicate in Korean, thus they had little chance ofcommunicating in English.

The Koreans were very hospitable; they took extra efforts to help us get used tothe culture in Korea. They were very interested to know about Singapore, and sowe spent much of the time together understanding more about each othersculture.

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DAY 2 10 August 2007

TIME ACTIVITIES0530hrs Reveille

0550hrs Breakfast0700hrs Strike camp0900hrs Imjingak1000hrs Trekking1200hrs Dora Observation Platform1240hrs Lunch1400hrs Trekking1540hrs Typhoon Observatory1620hrs Trekking1730hrs Camp & Sleeping areas assigning1800hrs Dinner1900hrs Unit Meeting2100hrs Shower2200hrs Lights out

Trekking Photographs:

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Imjingak

Established in 1972 for those who had to flee their hometowns in North Koreaduring the Korean War, Imjingak is located northwest of Seoul. Some 400 relics

and pictures on North Koreas military force, politics, society and overall lifestyleare exhibited here. On display outside are 12 different Korean War tank andcombat planes. Here is the Bridge of Freedom, the point of interruption of theGyeong-euiseon Railroad, and a platform for Koreans whose ancestors areburied in the north, to make ceremonial bows.

Photograph of Imjingak Pavilion:

Photograph of Mangbaedan Memorial Altar:

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Photographs of the Freedom Bridge:

Dora Observation Platform

It was founded as the OP in Songaksan is closed. It is the northernmostobservatory of South Korea from which visitors can view a part of the NorthKorean life through a telescope, such as Mt. Songaksan in Gaeseong, Kim II-Seong statue, Gijeong-dong, the outskirts of Gaeseong-si, Train smokestack atJangdan station, Geumamgol (collective farm).

Photographs of Dora Observation Platform:

Notice that in the background, there are telescopes for visitors.

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Typhoon Observatory

Typhoon (Taepung) Observatory was established on 3 Dec. 1991 by theInvincible Typhoon Force. It is located at the top, Suribong, of Mt. Bikki,

Hoengsan-ri, Jung-myeon, where it is about 65km from Seoul and about 140kmfrom Pyongyang.

Initially, it was build between South Limited Line and North Limited Line, 2kmfrom the Military Demarcated Line. But the North Koreans put iron impalementaround the true line in 1968, and South Koreans set up iron impalement partiallyin 1978.

Thus Typhoon Observatory was established 800m from the truce line and1,600m from a guard post of North Korea. Therefore, it became the closetobservatory on the truce line of 155 miles.

Photographs of Typhoon Observatory:

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We woke up at 5.30am, and to my surprise, the sun seems to rise earlier inKorea. We had our breakfast, strike camp and moved to imjingak for the start of

our trek.

The Koreans have a disciplined culture. They will keep to their schedules strictlyand will not accept any kinds of delay, and thus we were able to arrive onschedule at every destination.

At each destination, there were South Korean soldiers to explain what eachobservation performs. They had Korean explanations followed by English, butsubsequently for some of the destinations, we had no soldiers who knew Englishto explain to us.

Some of the Korean Scouts had to stepped in as English translators, butunfortunately, many of them being students does not have a good command ofEnglish to fully translate the explanations.

I spoke to the Korean Scouts International Commissioner, who was overseeingthis event. She was apologetic about it, not just the Singapore contingent wasaffected, but the Hong Kong and Thailand Scouts were also affected, and hadspoke to here about this translation issue.

She mentioned that her English speaking staff were posted to the World ScoutJamboree 2007 2 weeks ago, and could not make it in time for this event. She

felt bad about it, and promised to get some English brochures describing aboutthe places for us.

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0700hrs Breakfast0740hrs Strike camp0840hrs Labor Party Building0900hrs Trekking0940hrs Woljeong-ri Station1020hrs Trekking1220hrs The Iron Triangle Station1300hrs Lunch1420hrs Second Underground Tunnel1520hrs Break1530hrs Trekking1745hrs Camp & Sleeping areas assigning1800hrs Dinner1900hrs Shower2030hrs Security Education Talk2130hrs Roll Call2200hrs Lights out

Labor Party Building

Built in 1946 under fund-raising and labor forced by the North Koreangovernment, this shelled-out carcass of a building is a Soviet-type structure builtout of concrete. For security reasons, only devoted communist partisans wereallowed to work within the building.

Photographs of the Labor Party Building:

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Woljeong-ri Station

This used to be a provisional station before the division of the 2 Koreas, but nowis the northern most terminal station from the southern boundary of the DMZ. Alarge sign that says The train wants to run, in front of the station is a symbol of

the nations division tragedy.

Photographs of the national division:

The Iron Triangle Zone

This observatory has the capacity to carry 300 people at the same time. Throughthe 8 high quality telescopes, visitors can see the DMZ, Pyongyang highlands,

propaganda villages, Kim il Sungs native home, and Bloody Ridge in NorthKorea.

Photographs of the Iron Triangle Zone:

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The Second Underground Tunnel

Discovered on March 19, 1975, the Second Underground Tunnel is wide enoughto allow 30,000 soldiers to pass through in an hour, and even large armored

vehicles can move through the tunnel.

Photographs of the Second Underground Tunnel:

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We woke up at 6am, had our breakfast, strike camp and moved to the nextdestination, the Labour party building. From our exchange with the Korean

Scouts, we learnt that they have a lifestyle pretty much like any Singaporean.

Their youth starts their education from elementary school, to high school, college,after completing college; they will be enlisted into the army for 2 years. After their2 years of service, they will go on to the university.

Every South Korean male has to undergo 2 years of compulsory military training,and many do not get the chance to return to their families during these 2 years.The Korean Scouts participating in this event came from all parts of South Korea;many of their families make a living through farming, so they are not well off.They live a pretty harsh life, thus from this experience, I feel that the typical

Singaporean kid is very much more fortunate.

We shared about our interests about music and television dramas, anddiscussed about the Korean dramas screening in Singapore. As many of them donot come from a well-off family, they had little chance of travelling outside ofSouth Korea. But they were very independent, like for example, there were about20 South Korean Scouts, around 8 and 9 years old similar to our primary 2kids, and they were able to travel 4 to 6 hours, and many kilometres away fromtheir families. They did not come for this event with any of their parents, but yetthey were able to take care of themselves and take care of each other for thewhole of 7 days.

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0700hrs Breakfast0820hrs Strike camp0900hrs Trekking1210hrs Lunch1300hrs Trekking1720hrs Camp & Sleeping areas assigning1800hrs Dinner1900hrs Equipment Maintenance2100hrs Shower2130hrs Roll Call2200hrs Lights out

Trekking Route:

- Tongil Observation Point- Myulgong Observation Point- Gumgang Mt. railroad Gate 33- Baek-gol division Observation Point

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Photographs of the Trekking Route:

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The day began a lot harsher than the previous 3 days, due to the highly sensitiveareas which we visited. We had a chance to trek beside the South Limited Line

fences. We trekked through the mountains and hills and had a more realisticpicture of what the South Korean soldiers do to patrol the area as we passedthrough several sentry points.

As we were trekking, the weather started to change and it became stormy, withlighting and thunder. We continued to trek on, and even the South Korean kidstrekked on, although many of them were shivering from the cold and some werecrying, but they never gave up.

Our Singapore contingent was very impressed by the attitude and mentality ofthe South Koreans. They were brought up in such a harsh environment, able to

take hardships and withstand pressure, and more importantly very self-reliant.Many times, we offered them our rain coats and jackets, but they turned downour offer.

Although we felt that their culture was a little harsh on their younger ones, but wealso understand that it is their way of life, and through it, many of the SouthKoreans grows up to be a lot stronger and more resilient.

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0700hrs Breakfast0800hrs Strike camp0900hrs Trekking1250hrs Lunch1330hrs Koreas Army Experience1720hrs Camp & Sleeping areas assigning1800hrs Dinner1900hrs Night Trekking2200hrs Night Snack2230hrs Shower2300hrs Roll Call2330hrs Lights out

Trekking Route:

- Munemi Guard Post- Victory Observation Point- Wonju Command Post- Malgoke Ridge

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Tour of Army Barracks

During the trek, we were fortunate to be able to visit one of their military camps,which were station at the DMZ area. During the barracks tour, we had a chanceto talk to their soldiers and found out more about their thoughts and lives in the

Korean Army.

They showed us the equipment and weapon the South Koreans army uses.

Photographs of the Republic of Korea Army:

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Army Experience

After the tour of the barracks, we had lunch. Following lunch, we had the chanceto undergo Koreas military training. We were provided helmet, camouflaged

uniform, and belt.

We also tried out some of the army exercises and obstacle courses.

Photographs of the Army Experience:

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Night Trek

After dinner, we trekked for about another 3 hours.

Photographs of the Night Trek:

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We began the day similar to the previous day; we trekked along the mountainroutes and pass through several sentries.

The more interesting part of the day was the army experience. We had a chanceto tour one of their army camps, and experienced their weapons and equipmentsthat they used. Having gone through national service as an infantry specialist, Iwas able to recognize many of the equipments that they used. I also introducedthe equipments to some of our Singapore Scouts ladies and boys who have yetto enter into the national service.

We were also treated to a display of their training, and have a chance to gothrough some of it ourselves. Much of their training focuses on the physicalaspects, and many of it were very interesting. For example, they had obstacle

courses, and we had a chance to try them.

For the first time, we also did a night trek after our dinner. Although we can seethat many of the participants are very tired after 5 days of trekking, but you cansee the determination in them to complete the rest of the journey.

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0700hrs Breakfast0800hrs Strike camp0820hrs Trekking1230hrs Lunch1330hrs Trekking1830hrs Camp & Sleeping areas assigning1900hrs Dinner2000hrs Shower2100hrs Roll Call2130hrs Lights out

Trekking Route:

- SaBang st.- Mt. Do-sol Battle Monument- 4th Tunnel

Punch Bowl

The Punch Bowl is a valley that rests in 400m ~ 500m above sea level highlands

near the coast of Yanggu-gun. American reporters dubbed the basin as thePunch Bowl. From Dolsanryeong that is between the east side and coasts inYanggu-gun.

At the peak of Mt. Dolsanryeong is the Eulji Observatory Tower, located 1049meters above sea level and is known to be one of the bitterest fighting fields inthe mid battle lines during the Korean War. From this tower, we can see thecheckpoint and farms in North Korea and four mountain peaks, including thehighest peak of Mt. Geumgangsan-birobong.

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The day started with a trek to the punch bowl valley and the surrounding areas.There is an observation post at the peak of Mt. Geumgangsan-birobong, and the

trek up is the toughest of the last 5 days. However, as the observation post isextremely closed to the North Koreans, we were extra careful and the SouthKoreans were extra sensitive.

However, in the post, we were taken for tour of the observation post and theyshowed us a video of the activities they had recorded the North Koreans doing.They were able to capture clear pictures of what the North Koreans did over thelast 7 days. It was quite amazing.

During the journey, we had more exchanged with the Thailand Scout. He is theonly representative from Thailand, as the rest of the Thai Scouts had gone for theWorld Scout Jamboree 2007.

It was interesting as the Thai Scout showed us many of his magic tricks, and wehad a great time. We exchanged many Scouts songs, we taught him someChinese and Malay versions of the Scout songs and he taught us many of theThai versions of the Scout songs.

We also exchanged some of our overseas experiences, and during the trip, wealso exchanged some souvenirs, like scarves and badges, together with theHong Kong Scouts.

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0630hrs Breakfast0730hrs Strike camp0820hrs Trekking1200hrs Lunch1320hrs Resolution Ceremony Rehearsal1400hrs Resolution Ceremony1440hrs Unification Observatory Tour1600hrs Camp & Sleeping areas assigning1900hrs Farewell Party2000hrs Unification Wish Ceremony2130hrs Roll Call

2230hrs Lights out

Trekking Route:- Gwang-chi Ridge- Myung-pa elementary school- Jeo-jin Guard Post- Unification Observatory- 1991 World Scout Jamboree Campsite

Unification Observatory

As the observatory closest to North Korea, more than 1 million people visit thisarea annually. Visitors can see the Mt. Geumgangsan and Haegeumgang inNorth Korea with the naked eye. The road to observatory brings forth a sense oftension due to bard-wired entanglements along the coast and there are soldiersstationed on alert at checkpoints along the approach.

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Photographs of the trekking route:

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We had come to the final lap of the entire trek. We trekked up to the UnificationObservatory for the closing ceremony, and many of us were glad that the trek

had come to an end. Not because we did not enjoy the trek, but rather the trekwas very tiring, but at the same time it was very fulfilling. We had a great timeand during these 7 days, we made a lot of friends, exchanged our contacts andsouvenirs.

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0730hrs Breakfast0830hrs Strike camp0900hrs Departure for Seoul

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Conclusion

As this marks the end of our 13th Korea DMZ Peace Trek, I am very fortunate tobe able to have trekked this far with the Korean, Hong Kong and ThailandScouts.

Through this trip, I have made new friends, experienced the Korean culture, theirwarmness, their hospitality. But more importantly, I have come to a betterunderstanding of the Korean War, the DMZ and how it divides the KoreaPeninsular into 2.

The older Koreans that we came across, many still hold the bitter memories ofthe Korean War. The younger Koreans that we met, many are still unsure of whatit really means to reunite the 2 Koreas. But many Koreans are still supportive of apeaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsular.

However, in reality, the DMZ is still heavily fortified by soldiers on both sides.North Koreans still, from time to time, test the readiness of the South KoreanArmy by trespassing the MDL and firing shots at a guard post. Just 2 days beforewe were going into the DMZ, there were news reports of North Koreans firingtheir machine guns at one of the guard posts.

South Korean soldiers are like Singapore soldiers, because they too are aconscripted force. Every male citizen has to go through 2 years of militaryservice, and the soldiers we met at the DMZ are just like us. However, they haveto be in the line of fire everyday. Some of their soldiers have to enter the DMZ,near the MDL, to patrol along it. They face land-mines, explosives and North

Koreans snipers every time. They are, in fact, putting their lives on the line, fortheir country.

Although military incursions happen every now and then, but we can, at the sametime, see that improvements have been made in the reunification process.Compare now and 50 years ago, there are more highways, communication linesbetween North and South Korea. Economic activities involving both Koreas arealso increasing every day, although reunification process is slow, but somedaywe will be able to witness the complete reunification of the Korean Peninsula.

One World, One Promise.

Documents

NYAA Gold Expedition 2007