Visitors listen to an explanation on the surrounding area on the second floor of the Unification Observatory in Goseong, Gangwon Province. / Korea Times photos by Shim Hyun-chul

By Shim Hyun-chul

The Unification Observatory in Goseong-gun, Gangwon Province, is one of the places where traces of the national division caused by the Korean War (1950-1953) are still visible.

Established in 1983, this is the first observatory in Korea from where visitors can view the North as it is located in the northernmost point of 38 degrees north latitude.

The place is frequented not only by tourists but by displaced people and visitors who come to experience the sorrow of the separation and wish for the unification of the two Koreas.

The two-story building built some 70 meters above sea level, has telescopes on its terrace.

The first floor has an exhibition of weapons and other military equipment from the Korean War up to modern items and a model and photos of Mt. Geumgang. The north wall of the second floor is made of glass, providing a panoramic view of Mt. Geumgang and the Haegeum River. The observatory is located some 20 kilometers away from Mt. Geumgang and visitors can see representative peaks of the beautiful mountain.

The Unification Observatory is accessed through Tongil Security Park and visitors have to take a security instruction course before they reach the observatory.