Two Villages, Two Worlds
In the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), two villages—Kijong-dong in North Korea and Daesong-dong in South Korea—face each other, standing as stark representations of their respective nations. They are the only inhabited places within the heavily fortified DMZ, but their purposes and realities couldn’t be more different.
Kijong-dong: The Propaganda Village
Built in the 1950s, Kijong-dong was intended to showcase North Korea’s prosperity. Its modern-looking buildings, equipped with electric lighting visible from afar, were a stark contrast to the then-darkened South Korea. However, closer inspections revealed that the village was uninhabited. The buildings were mere shells with no interiors, and the lights operated on timers.
Daesong-dong: A Genuine Community
Across the border, Daesong-dong, known as “Freedom Village,” is a real farming community with about 200 residents. Living under strict regulations, residents are South Korean citizens but must follow DMZ-specific rules. They are exempt from taxes and receive government subsidies for living under constant military oversight.
Dueling Flagpoles
In the 1980s, a battle of national pride emerged as each side erected towering flagpoles. North Korea’s stands at 160 meters (525 feet), holding a 270-kilogram flag, overshadowing South Korea’s 98-meter structure.
In the heart of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), two villages face off in stark contrast. Kijong-dong, a propaganda showcase in North Korea, and Daesong-dong, a genuine farming community in South Korea, stand as living reminders of a divided peninsula separated by barbed wire… pic.twitter.com/O2aMy5MdH5
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