Hikers rejoice! New trails in North and South Korea are opening
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hardcore hikers are rejoicing as they now have the option to explore the hiking trails that are alongside the Korean Peninsula’s Demilitarised Zone (DMZ).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The trails just so happen to be near the world’s most heavily armed border that divide North and South Korea, but as a part of South Korea’s Peace Trail project, there are three new trails being built.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Local government has approved three trails within the DMZ buffer, which stretches 4 kilometres wide and 240 kilometres long.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The area where the trails are looking to be built has divided the nations since 1953.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The first trail, which is inside Gangwon province on the east side of the Korean Peninsula, opened on the 28</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">th</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of April.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"United Nations Command (UNC) and the ROK [South Korea] government have demonstrated superb teamwork, collaboration and coordination throughout the entire 'peace trail' process and will continue to do so," said General Robert Abrams, leader of the UNC, in a statement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"The ROK military has worked extremely long hours to ensure the success of this very important initiative, while assuring visitors their safety remains paramount."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the DMZ has been closed off to the public for more than six decades, it’s given the wildlife a chance to flourish. The area is home to endangered species, such as rare types of cranes, ducks, deer and mountain goats.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to reports from </span><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/korea-dmz-wildlife-hiking-trails/index.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CNN</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, there are more than 6,000 different species of flora and fauna living inside the DMZ.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, hikers will be accompanied by military personnel and be required to wear bullet-proof vests and helmets during the walks.</span></p>
