Second DMZ hiking trail to open in Cheorwon in June

The central section of the DMZ in Cheorwon of Gangwon province, about 90 kilometers northeast of Seoul, will be opened for the government-initiated “DMZ Peace Trail” program on June 1st, officials said.

The first DMZ peace trail was launched in an eastern coastal section in Goseong, Gangwon province, on April 27th, drawing hundreds of hikers to its scenic seaside routes over six days each week, with the trail closed on Mondays.

The trails were set up as part of an agreement the two Koreas reached in September last year, and those interested in walking the routes need to apply for entry passes.

The DMZ, which is about 250 kilometers long and 4 km wide, is one of the world's most heavily fortified borders. The zone has left the Korean peninsula divided since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with armistice.

Since the signing of the comprehensive military agreement in September last year, the two Koreas have pushed for several tension-reducing measures./.