Korean War
Since the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950, the Korean Peninsula has been divided into two countries, South Korea and North Korea, in the context of the confrontation between continental socialism and liberal democracy from beyond the Pacific. The war ended on July 27, 1953 in armistice negotiations, leaving great damage to the Korean Peninsula. Since then, the two countries have maintained a quasi-state of war and continued their military confrontation.
Current situation and Problems between both countries
1. The DMZ has 2 million mines and hundreds of military posts along the MDL.
2. Civilian access is strictly controlled, and there is little interaction between the two countries through DMZ.
3. South Korea’s GDP is 48 times that of North Korea’s GDP.
4. The languages of the two countries are as different as 38%
5.The division of the Korean Peninsula is no longer just a matter of ideological confrontation.
The differences between the two countries and the various problems caused by
this long ceasefire are not solved simply by reunification, but by making it impossible for the two countries to unify simply.
Neutrality of DMZ in Korea
A DMZ is a zone where armaments are prohibited by international treaties.
Each Korea decided to use the DMZ, which is 2km north and south, based on the truce line. The DMZ is formed linearly from east to west between the two countries. Paradoxically with the word demilitarized zone, the two countries installed many military facilities, mines etc.. Nevertheless, the DMZ, which has been out of reach for 40 years due to civilian access control, is now a symbol of peace between the two Koreas and a treasure of nature. Due to these characteristics, the DMZ has neutrality that can disarm the two ideologies.
Neutropolis Manifesto
The Nuetro-Polis blossomed out of the mines. The Guard Posts and the General Out Posts rise up to become schools and Plaza. The border, which is the representative of national conflicts between North and South Korea, is going to be changed as new type of Polis which is neutral, not belongs to specific nation. Soldiers near the border take down their weapons and look to the same ideal. From now, Demilitarized Zone(DMZ) become truly demilitarized.
Near the MDL (Military Demarcation Line), the conflicts look subsided
Following military demarcation line in the demilitarized zone, South Korea and the North Korean People’s Republic are confronting each other.
- The conflict between the two Korea has been weakened through 70 years, but the war is still not over.
- The DMZ has 2 million mines and hundreds of military posts along the MDL.
- Civilian access is strictly controlled, and there is little interaction between the two countries through the DMZ.
- South Korea’s GDP is 48 times that of North Korea’s GDP.
- The languages of the two countries are as different as 38%
- The division of the Korean Peninsula is no longer just a matter of ideological confrontation.
The differences between the two countries and the various problems caused by the long armistice make unification difficult. Also, these problems are not solved simply by unification.
Building a city on the wreckage of war
Ironically, the Demillitarized Zone, armed with mines and various firearms, can’t make any access and interaction with the MDL(Military Demarcation Line) between two countries. To demilitarize the DMZ(Demilitarized Zone), remove the mine that is the biggest obstacle to interaction. At the location of the mine removed, a great pillar is built that will be the basis for Neutro-polis, a sign of demilitarization. When the number of columns built on DMZ increases, tie up them and connect mega structures and facilities of the new city to build up the infrastructure The established cities are filled with residential, educational, plaza, industrial and memorial block from mines, GP(Guard post), GOP(General out post), bunker and hazardous excavation site. In addition, other international discussions and each international conference is placed in Neutro-polis. The porous spaces between the cities show the nature of the numerous tensions and battles, and the columns of the detachment that re-emerged on them, and the demilitarized zone that is gradually becoming demilitarized. The Nuetro-polis is coverd with glass and foat in the air of DMZ. As the demilitarization continues, the city gradually expands.
To Neutro-polis, and Beyond!
South and North Korea share their cultures and interact with each other in the new neutral cities, narrowing the gap of social, economic and cultural. The neutral city eases tensions on the Korean Peninsula, making the end of the war a reality, and become a monument to the Korean War and the long division. Also the Neutro-Polis in the air of the DMZ is a neutral city where the opinions of the Far East Asia, the Pacific, and countries can be mediated and discussed, as watching ‘Not-in-touched nature’ and the new tomorrow of the two countries
credit
2019 eVolo Skyscraper Competition
김지수 Jisoo Kim
송이새 Esae Song
김유진 Yujin Kim
김홍익 Hongik Kim
백송민 Songmin Baek