Nyaa Gold Expedition 2007

NYAA GOLD ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY 2007 SUMMARY REPORT Compiled by: VSL Nicholas Koh Date: 16 August 2009

13th Korea DMZ Peace Trek 2007 National Youth Achievement Award Expeditions Section

Done By: Nicholas Koh Yong Zhi

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CONTENTS PERSONAL PARTICULARS..................................................................................................................... 3 NEXT-OF-KIN PARTICULARS ............................................................................................................... 4 EMERGENCY CONTACTS IN KOREA.................................................................................................. 4 ADDRESS OF SINGAPORE MISSION IN KOREA: ............................................................................................ 4 CONTACTS OF SINGAPORE MISSION IN KOREA:.......................................................................................... 4 EQUIPMENT LIST ..................................................................................................................................... 5 GENERAL INFORMATION...................................................................................................................... 6 DMZ BACKGROUND INFORMATION.................................................................................................. 7 KOREAN WAR BATTLEFIELDS DMZ .......................................................................................................... 7 OBJECTIVES OF THE 13TH DMZ PEACE TREK .............................................................................................. 7 DAY 1 – 9 AUGUST 2007............................................................................................................................ 8 REFLECTIONS OF DAY 1 ........................................................................................................................ 9 DAY 2 – 10 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 10 IMJINGAK ................................................................................................................................................. 11 DORA OBSERVATION PLATFORM.............................................................................................................. 12 TYPHOON OBSERVATORY......................................................................................................................... 13 REFLECTIONS OF DAY 2 ...................................................................................................................... 14 DAY 3 – 11 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 15 LABOR PARTY BUILDING ......................................................................................................................... 15 WOLJEONG-RI STATION ............................................................................................................................ 16 THE IRON TRIANGLE ZONE ....................................................................................................................... 16 THE SECOND UNDERGROUND TUNNEL..................................................................................................... 17 REFLECTIONS OF DAY 3 ...................................................................................................................... 18 DAY 4 – 12 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 19 REFLECTIONS OF DAY 4 ...................................................................................................................... 24 DAY 5 – 13 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 25 TOUR OF ARMY BARRACKS ...................................................................................................................... 28 ARMY EXPERIENCE .................................................................................................................................. 33 NIGHT TREK ............................................................................................................................................. 35 REFLECTIONS OF DAY 5 ...................................................................................................................... 36 DAY 6 – 14 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 37 PUNCH BOWL ........................................................................................................................................... 37 REFLECTIONS OF DAY 6 ...................................................................................................................... 39 DAY 7 – 15 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 40 UNIFICATION OBSERVATORY ................................................................................................................... 40 REFLECTIONS OF DAY 7 ...................................................................................................................... 42 DAY 8 – 16 AUGUST 2007........................................................................................................................ 43 CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................................... 43

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Personal Particulars Name

Nicholas Koh Yong Zhi

NRIC

S8411721H

Age

23+

Gender

Male

Citizenship

Singaporean

Contact Number

97652516

Residential Address

BLK 134 Lorong Ah Soo #08-466 Singapore 530134

Blood type

A+

Allergies

Amoxil

Dietary Restrictions

NIL

Medical Conditions

NIL

Medications

NIL

School

NA

Scout Troop

Cuon Scout Troop

Year joined Scouting

1993

Highest Award in Scouting

NA

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Next-of-kin Particulars Name

Lau Kim Choo

NRIC

S1413388G

Relationship

Mother

Contact Number

81324639

Residential Address

BLK 134 Lorong Ah Soo #08-466 Singapore 530134

Emergency Contacts in Korea Address of Singapore Mission in Korea: 28th Floor, Seoul Finance Centre 84 Taepyungro 1-ga Chung-gu, Seoul 100-768, Republic of Korea Email: [email protected]

Contacts of Singapore Mission in Korea: 001-82-(2) 774-2464, 774-2465, 774-2466, 774-2467

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Equipment List

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CONTENTS

QTY

Backpack Eating Utensils (mess tin, fork & spoon) Water bottle (1litre) Rain Coat Sleeping Bag Personal toiletries (toothbrush, towel, etc) T-shirts Jacket / Windbreaker Shorts trekking / hiking pants Socks Undergarments Track Shoes Slippers / Sandals Scout’s Uniform (with Singapore flag badge) Stationery (Notebook, Pen, Pencil, Markers) Camera Torch light Spare Batteries Personal First Aid Kit Passport & Tickets Money

1 1 Set 2 1 1 1 Set 7 1 3 4 7 8 1 Pair 1 Pair 2 Set 1 Set 1 1 4 AA 1 Set 1 EA

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General Information Title: 13th DMZ Peace Trekking (The 100th Anniversary of Scouting) Dates: 9 -16 August 2007 Location: Korean War Battlefields DMZ Organizers: Korea Scout Association Participants: -

13 ~ 24 years of age Scouts from Korea, overseas, and non-Scouts youths.

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Scout Leaders from Korea and overseas (Staff and Troop Leaders).

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155 participants from Korea and overseas Scouts participated in this event.

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Overseas Scouts include: Hong Kong (9 participants) and Thailand (1 participant).

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Singapore Participants: 10 – 3 Leaders, 4 Rovers, 3 Ventures.

Singapore Team: Contingent Leader: Mr Gavin Pah. Asst. Contingent Leader: Ms Alicia Goh. Asst. Contingent Leader: Mr Nicholas Koh Adult Leaders: Gavin Pah, Alicia Goh, & Nicholas Koh. Rovers: Chris Khoo, Ng Hweeshiang, Jojo Ong, & Ong Aileng. Ventures: Leonard, Kexin, Tee Yong. The Team was organized into 5 groups: Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Gavin Pah

Ong Aileng

Ng Hweeshiang

Alicia Goh

Nicholas Koh

Jojo Ong

Tee Yong

Leonard

Kexin

Chris Khoo

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DMZ Background Information The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and the east end lying north of it. It is 155 miles (248 km) long and approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) wide, and is the most heavily armed border in the world.

Korean War Battlefields DMZ The Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950, and ended with a cease-fire on July 27, 1953. 16 countries dispatched combat troops to help the South and 5 others sent medical supplies. Ever since, Korea has been divided into South and North. The DMZ divided the Korean peninsula in half, a 2km area on either side of the border (MDL) where North and South Korea both cease military activities and offensive activities. It is also an invaluable ecosystem preservation area for rare plants and animal species.

Objectives of the 13th DMZ Peace Trek -

Enhance the will towards the Korea’s reunification and peace Contribute to the world peace and unity Share friendship through the trekking

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DAY 1 – 9 August 2007 TIME 1100hrs 1100hrs 1130hrs 1200hrs 1400hrs 1430hrs 1500hrs 1540hrs 1700hrs 1800hrs 1900hrs 2130hrs 2200hrs

ACTIVITIES Assemble at Nam-sung elementary school (Chung-ju, Chung-buk) Registration Logistics & Supplies organization Lunch Trek to the Chungcheongbuk-do Office of Education Opening ceremony rehearsal Opening ceremony Street March Camp & Sleeping areas assigning Dinner Group Meeting Equipment preparation, maintenance & Wash up Lights out

Assembly & Registration Pictures:

Opening Ceremony:

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Reflections of Day 1 We arrived at the Incheon International Airport – South Korea’s international airport, at about 7am (Korea’s time). The Korean Scouts were very kind to pick us up from the airport; many of them had to travel for 3 hours to the airport. At the airport, we also met Scouts from Thailand and Hong Kong who were also here to participate in this event. We moved on to the assembly area at Nam-sung elementary school located in Chung-ju, which is a 3 hour ride from the airport. At Nam-sung elementary school, here we were divided into our different groups. I was paired with Chris in group 5, and our group had about 18 other Korean Scouts. The Korean Scouts were very shy, probably because they were afraid to communicate in English. We were told that they had learned English as their second language, but in South Korea they very proud of their Korean heritage, so many times they prefer to communicate in Korean, thus they had little chance of communicating in English. The Koreans were very hospitable; they took extra efforts to help us get used to the culture in Korea. They were very interested to know about Singapore, and so we spent much of the time together understanding more about each other’s culture.

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DAY 2 – 10 August 2007 TIME 0530hrs 0550hrs 0700hrs 0900hrs 1000hrs 1200hrs 1240hrs 1400hrs 1540hrs 1620hrs 1730hrs 1800hrs 1900hrs 2100hrs 2200hrs

ACTIVITIES Reveille Breakfast Strike camp Imjingak Trekking Dora Observation Platform Lunch Trekking Typhoon Observatory Trekking Camp & Sleeping areas assigning Dinner Unit Meeting Shower Lights out

Trekking Photographs:

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Imjingak Established in 1972 for those who had to flee their hometowns in North Korea during the Korean War, Imjingak is located northwest of Seoul. Some 400 relics and pictures on North Korea’s military force, politics, society and overall lifestyle are exhibited here. On display outside are 12 different Korean War tank and combat planes. Here is the Bridge of Freedom, the point of interruption of the Gyeong-euiseon Railroad, and a platform for Koreans whose ancestors are buried in the north, to make ceremonial bows. Photograph of Imjingak Pavilion:

Photograph of Mangbaedan Memorial Altar:

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Photographs of the Freedom Bridge:

Dora Observation Platform It was founded as the OP in Songaksan is closed. It is the northernmost observatory of South Korea from which visitors can view a part of the North Korean life through a telescope, such as Mt. Songaksan in Gaeseong, Kim IISeong statue, Gijeong-dong, the outskirts of Gaeseong-si, Train smokestack at Jangdan station, Geumamgol (collective farm). Photographs of Dora Observation Platform:

Notice that in the background, there are telescopes for visitors.

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Typhoon Observatory Typhoon (Taepung) Observatory was established on 3 Dec. 1991 by the “Invincible Typhoon Force”. It is located at the top, Suribong, of Mt. Bikki, Hoengsan-ri, Jung-myeon, where it is about 65km from Seoul and about 140km from Pyongyang. Initially, it was build between South Limited Line and North Limited Line, 2km from the Military Demarcated Line. But the North Koreans put iron impalement around the true line in 1968, and South Koreans set up iron impalement partially in 1978. Thus Typhoon Observatory was established 800m from the truce line and 1,600m from a guard post of North Korea. Therefore, it became the closet observatory on the truce line of 155 miles. Photographs of Typhoon Observatory:

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Reflections of Day 2 We woke up at 5.30am, and to my surprise, the sun seems to rise earlier in Korea. We had our breakfast, strike camp and moved to imjingak for the start of our trek. The Koreans have a disciplined culture. They will keep to their schedules strictly and will not accept any kinds of delay, and thus we were able to arrive on schedule at every destination. At each destination, there were South Korean soldiers to explain what each observation performs. They had Korean explanations followed by English, but subsequently for some of the destinations, we had no soldiers who knew English to explain to us. Some of the Korean Scouts had to stepped in as English translators, but unfortunately, many of them being students does not have a good command of English to fully translate the explanations. I spoke to the Korean Scout’s International Commissioner, who was overseeing this event. She was apologetic about it, not just the Singapore contingent was affected, but the Hong Kong and Thailand Scouts were also affected, and had spoke to here about this translation issue. She mentioned that her English speaking staff were posted to the World Scout Jamboree 2007 2 weeks ago, and could not make it in time for this event. She felt bad about it, and promised to get some English brochures describing about the places for us.

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DAY 3 – 11 August 2007 TIME 0600hrs 0700hrs 0740hrs 0840hrs 0900hrs 0940hrs 1020hrs 1220hrs 1300hrs 1420hrs 1520hrs 1530hrs 1745hrs 1800hrs 1900hrs 2030hrs 2130hrs 2200hrs

ACTIVITIES Reveille Breakfast Strike camp Labor Party Building Trekking Woljeong-ri Station Trekking The Iron Triangle Station Lunch Second Underground Tunnel Break Trekking Camp & Sleeping areas assigning Dinner Shower Security Education Talk Roll Call Lights out

Labor Party Building Built in 1946 under fund-raising and labor forced by the North Korean government, this shelled-out carcass of a building is a Soviet-type structure built out of concrete. For security reasons, only devoted communist partisans were allowed to work within the building. Photographs of the Labor Party Building:

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Woljeong-ri Station This used to be a provisional station before the division of the 2 Koreas, but now is the northern most terminal station from the southern boundary of the DMZ. A large sign that says ‘The train wants to run’, in front of the station is a symbol of the nation’s division tragedy. Photographs of the national division:

The Iron Triangle Zone This observatory has the capacity to carry 300 people at the same time. Through the 8 high quality telescopes, visitors can see the DMZ, Pyongyang highlands, propaganda villages, Kim il Sung’s native home, and “Bloody Ridge” in North Korea. Photographs of the Iron Triangle Zone:

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The Second Underground Tunnel Discovered on March 19, 1975, the Second Underground Tunnel is wide enough to allow 30,000 soldiers to pass through in an hour, and even large armored vehicles can move through the tunnel. Photographs of the Second Underground Tunnel:

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Reflections of Day 3 We woke up at 6am, had our breakfast, strike camp and moved to the next destination, the Labour party building. From our exchange with the Korean Scouts, we learnt that they have a lifestyle pretty much like any Singaporean. Their youth starts their education from elementary school, to high school, college, after completing college; they will be enlisted into the army for 2 years. After their 2 years of service, they will go on to the university. Every South Korean male has to undergo 2 years of compulsory military training, and many do not get the chance to return to their families during these 2 years. The Korean Scouts participating in this event came from all parts of South Korea; many of their families make a living through farming, so they are not well off. They live a pretty harsh life, thus from this experience, I feel that the typical Singaporean kid is very much more fortunate. We shared about our interests about music and television dramas, and discussed about the Korean dramas screening in Singapore. As many of them do not come from a well-off family, they had little chance of travelling outside of South Korea. But they were very independent, like for example, there were about 20 South Korean Scouts, around 8 and 9 years old – similar to our primary 2 kids, and they were able to travel 4 to 6 hours, and many kilometres away from their families. They did not come for this event with any of their parents, but yet they were able to take care of themselves and take care of each other for the whole of 7 days.

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DAY 4 – 12 August 2007 TIME 0600hrs 0700hrs 0820hrs 0900hrs 1210hrs 1300hrs 1720hrs 1800hrs 1900hrs 2100hrs 2130hrs 2200hrs

ACTIVITIES Reveille Breakfast Strike camp Trekking Lunch Trekking Camp & Sleeping areas assigning Dinner Equipment Maintenance Shower Roll Call Lights out

Trekking Route: -

Tongil Observation Point Myulgong Observation Point Gumgang Mt. railroad Gate 33 Baek-gol division Observation Point

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Photographs of the Trekking Route:

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Reflections of Day 4 The day began a lot harsher than the previous 3 days, due to the highly sensitive areas which we visited. We had a chance to trek beside the South Limited Line fences. We trekked through the mountains and hills and had a more realistic picture of what the South Korean soldiers do to patrol the area as we passed through several sentry points. As we were trekking, the weather started to change and it became stormy, with lighting and thunder. We continued to trek on, and even the South Korean kids trekked on, although many of them were shivering from the cold and some were crying, but they never gave up. Our Singapore contingent was very impressed by the attitude and mentality of the South Koreans. They were brought up in such a harsh environment, able to take hardships and withstand pressure, and more importantly very self-reliant. Many times, we offered them our rain coats and jackets, but they turned down our offer. Although we felt that their culture was a little harsh on their younger ones, but we also understand that it is their way of life, and through it, many of the South Koreans grows up to be a lot stronger and more resilient.

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DAY 5 – 13 August 2007 TIME 0600hrs 0700hrs 0800hrs 0900hrs 1250hrs 1330hrs 1720hrs 1800hrs 1900hrs 2200hrs 2230hrs 2300hrs 2330hrs

ACTIVITIES Reveille Breakfast Strike camp Trekking Lunch Korea’s Army Experience Camp & Sleeping areas assigning Dinner Night Trekking Night Snack Shower Roll Call Lights out

Trekking Route: -

Munemi Guard Post Victory Observation Point Wonju Command Post Malgoke Ridge

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Photographs of the Trekking Route:

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Tour of Army Barracks During the trek, we were fortunate to be able to visit one of their military camps, which were station at the DMZ area. During the barrack’s tour, we had a chance to talk to their soldiers and found out more about their thoughts and lives in the Korean Army. They showed us the equipment and weapon the South Korean’s army uses. Photographs of the Republic of Korea Army:

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Army Experience After the tour of the barracks, we had lunch. Following lunch, we had the chance to undergo Korea’s military training. We were provided helmet, camouflaged uniform, and belt. We also tried out some of the army exercises and obstacle courses. Photographs of the Army Experience:

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Night Trek After dinner, we trekked for about another 3 hours. Photographs of the Night Trek:

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Reflections of Day 5 We began the day similar to the previous day; we trekked along the mountain routes and pass through several sentries. The more interesting part of the day was the army experience. We had a chance to tour one of their army camps, and experienced their weapons and equipments that they used. Having gone through national service as an infantry specialist, I was able to recognize many of the equipments that they used. I also introduced the equipments to some of our Singapore Scouts ladies and boys who have yet to enter into the national service. We were also treated to a display of their training, and have a chance to go through some of it ourselves. Much of their training focuses on the physical aspects, and many of it were very interesting. For example, they had obstacle courses, and we had a chance to try them. For the first time, we also did a night trek after our dinner. Although we can see that many of the participants are very tired after 5 days of trekking, but you can see the determination in them to complete the rest of the journey.

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DAY 6 – 14 August 2007 TIME 0600hrs 0700hrs 0800hrs 0820hrs 1230hrs 1330hrs 1830hrs 1900hrs 2000hrs 2100hrs 2130hrs

ACTIVITIES Reveille Breakfast Strike camp Trekking Lunch Trekking Camp & Sleeping areas assigning Dinner Shower Roll Call Lights out

Trekking Route: -

SaBang st. Mt. Do-sol Battle Monument 4th Tunnel

Punch Bowl The Punch Bowl is a valley that rests in 400m ~ 500m above sea level highlands near the coast of Yanggu-gun. American reporters dubbed the basin as the Punch Bowl. From Dolsanryeong that is between the east side and coasts in Yanggu-gun. At the peak of Mt. Dolsanryeong is the Eulji Observatory Tower, located 1049 meters above sea level and is known to be one of the bitterest fighting fields in the mid battle lines during the Korean War. From this tower, we can see the checkpoint and farms in North Korea and four mountain peaks, including the highest peak of Mt. Geumgangsan-birobong.

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Photographs of the Trekking Route:

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Reflections of Day 6 The day started with a trek to the punch bowl valley and the surrounding areas. There is an observation post at the peak of Mt. Geumgangsan-birobong, and the trek up is the toughest of the last 5 days. However, as the observation post is extremely closed to the North Koreans, we were extra careful and the South Koreans were extra sensitive. However, in the post, we were taken for tour of the observation post and they showed us a video of the activities they had recorded the North Koreans doing. They were able to capture clear pictures of what the North Koreans did over the last 7 days. It was quite amazing. During the journey, we had more exchanged with the Thailand Scout. He is the only representative from Thailand, as the rest of the Thai Scouts had gone for the World Scout Jamboree 2007. It was interesting as the Thai Scout showed us many of his magic tricks, and we had a great time. We exchanged many Scouts’ songs, we taught him some Chinese and Malay versions of the Scout songs and he taught us many of the Thai versions of the Scout songs. We also exchanged some of our overseas experiences, and during the trip, we also exchanged some souvenirs, like scarves and badges, together with the Hong Kong Scouts.

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DAY 7 – 15 August 2007 TIME 0600hrs 0630hrs 0730hrs 0820hrs 1200hrs 1320hrs 1400hrs 1440hrs 1600hrs 1900hrs 2000hrs 2130hrs 2230hrs

ACTIVITIES Reveille Breakfast Strike camp Trekking Lunch Resolution Ceremony Rehearsal Resolution Ceremony Unification Observatory Tour Camp & Sleeping areas assigning Farewell Party Unification Wish Ceremony Roll Call Lights out

Trekking Route: - Gwang-chi Ridge - Myung-pa elementary school - Jeo-jin Guard Post - Unification Observatory - 1991 World Scout Jamboree Campsite

Unification Observatory As the observatory closest to North Korea, more than 1 million people visit this area annually. Visitors can see the Mt. Geumgangsan and Haegeumgang in North Korea with the naked eye. The road to observatory brings forth a sense of tension due to bard-wired entanglements along the coast and there are soldiers stationed on alert at checkpoints along the approach.

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Photographs of the trekking route:

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Reflections of Day 7 We had come to the final lap of the entire trek. We trekked up to the Unification Observatory for the closing ceremony, and many of us were glad that the trek had come to an end. Not because we did not enjoy the trek, but rather the trek was very tiring, but at the same time it was very fulfilling. We had a great time and during these 7 days, we made a lot of friends, exchanged our contacts and souvenirs.

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DAY 8 – 16 August 2007 TIME 0700hrs 0730hrs 0830hrs 0900hrs

ACTIVITIES Reveille Breakfast Strike camp Departure for Seoul

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Conclusion As this marks the end of our 13th Korea DMZ Peace Trek, I am very fortunate to be able to have trekked this far with the Korean, Hong Kong and Thailand Scouts. Through this trip, I have made new friends, experienced the Korean culture, their warmness, their hospitality. But more importantly, I have come to a better understanding of the Korean War, the DMZ and how it divides the Korea Peninsular into 2. The older Koreans that we came across, many still hold the bitter memories of the Korean War. The younger Koreans that we met, many are still unsure of what it really means to reunite the 2 Koreas. But many Koreans are still supportive of a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsular. However, in reality, the DMZ is still heavily fortified by soldiers on both sides. North Koreans still, from time to time, test the readiness of the South Korean Army by trespassing the MDL and firing shots at a guard post. Just 2 days before we were going into the DMZ, there were news reports of North Koreans firing their machine guns at one of the guard posts. South Korean soldiers are like Singapore soldiers, because they too are a conscripted force. Every male citizen has to go through 2 years of military service, and the soldiers we met at the DMZ are just like us. However, they have to be in the line of fire everyday. Some of their soldiers have to enter the DMZ, near the MDL, to patrol along it. They face land-mines, explosives and North Koreans snipers every time. They are, in fact, putting their lives on the line, for their country. Although military incursions happen every now and then, but we can, at the same time, see that improvements have been made in the reunification process. Compare now and 50 years ago, there are more highways, communication lines between North and South Korea. Economic activities involving both Koreas are also increasing every day, although reunification process is slow, but someday we will be able to witness the complete reunification of the Korean Peninsula. One World, One Promise.

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