JOINT SECURITY AREA, DEMILITARIZED ZONE, PANMUNJOM, Republic of Korea -- The commanding general of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Maj. Gen. William D. Beydler, and other 1st MAW senior leadership toured the demilitarized zone and the border between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea here Feb. 26. The trip was meant to better their understanding of the situation between the two countries in preparation for Exercise Key Resolve.

Key Resolve is designed to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the ROK – U.S. alliance and enhance the combat readiness of the ROK and U.S. supporting forces through combined and joint training. This is done while improving the ROK – U.S. alliance’s ability to defend the ROK, protect the region and maintain stability on the Korean peninsula.

The tour started with a bus ride through the DMZ, passing an anti-tank wall, an electric fence and a minefield that comprise elements of DMZ security measures.  The DMZ is approximately four kilometers wide and bisects the peninsula coastline to coastline.

“We brought the commanding general and staff from 1st MAW to the DMZ to have the opportunity to learn about the Armistice Agreement and the mechanisms in place to separate the forces between the Koreans People Army (KPA) and the United Nations Commission (UNC),” said Maj. Sean Miller, Assistant Secretary of Operations for the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission.

Upon arrival to the Freedom House, the Marines received a brief about the history of the Korean peninsula, the Armistice Agreement and conflicts that have occurred between the North and South.

“The importance, in my opinion, for Marines to come here is to appreciate the knowledge and history that has transpired over the last 57 years,” said Miller. “It is important, not only for Marines but for any service member that comes here, to understand what it is to carry out their duties in an Armistice status.”

The tour continued to the United Nation Command Military Armistice Commission Conference and Staff Conference buildings where meetings between the UNC and the Democratic People’ Republic of Korea take place.

“These two buildings are the devices in play where the two commanders from the KPA and the UNC come together to discuss any Armistice-related matter,” said Miller.

The next visit was to “Tunnel three,” an invasion tunnel dug by the DPRK as a way to cross the DMZ and invade the South.

“Tunnel three is one of four tunnels that were found in the 1970s as an attempt from the North to infiltrate the South,” said Lt. Andrew Kuhn, an engineer with the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Assistant Joint Duty Officer with the UNCMAC. “The tunnel is now open to the public, or tourists, to come and view, however, it is shut down during times of heightened tension.”

According to Kuhn, he and two other New Zealand service members currently serve with the UNCMAC based on a declaration signed at the end of the Korean War by the 16 nations that contributed combat forces in the defense of the Republic of Korea. Those countries still provide personnel on the peninsula today.

“This is my first multi-national coalition billet, and it has been very interesting,” said Kuhn. “It can be difficult at times when you’re working with foreign nationals with different languages and cultures, but the experience and the learning that I have gained in the last six months is the most I have ever gained, and I have loved every bit of it.”

The last stop of the tour was Observation Post Dora where the Marines caught a glimpse of Kaesong Industrial Complex in the DPRK.

“The Kaesong Industrial Complex is a complex built in North Korea but is managed by South Koreans. However, the workers, about 45,000 of them, are actually North Korean,” said Kuhn. “There are currently about 120 factories there.”

At the end of the tour, Beylder addressed the 1st MAW senior leadership and explained why he thought the tour was important.

“Our focus here is to provide a capability to our allies that will preserve the security and peace in the region,” said Beydler. “The whole purpose of this tour is to get a tangible feel about what the Armistice is all about. Stephen King couldn’t write something like this. This is what it is all about, and I wanted you to see it first hand.”