Untitled Document
 The
West Sea consists of five South Korean islands: Baekryungdo, Daecheongdo,
Socheongdo, Woodo, and Yeonpyeongdo. Yeonpyeong Island is located
about 80 kilometers west of Incheon. The island is surprisingly near North Korean
mainland. It is actually closer to North
Korea than to South Korean land, sitting only about 12 kilometers
from North Korean territory. On October seventh
to eighth, a total of 58 student reporters for The Kids times and
The Teen Times, and Times readers visited the island of Yeonpyeong
to learn more about the island. The special camp was hosted by the
Incheon Tourism Organization인천관광공사 and DMZRODMZ 문화포럼.
 Yeonpyeong
Island is very close to the Northern Line Limit (NLL)북방한계선, the border that separates North and South
Korea in the sea. From the peak of the highest mountain
on the island, North Korean land and parts of their sea can be seen.
A select group of student reporters,
both for The Kids Times and The Teen Times, as well as readers nationwide came to participate in this meaningful event. DMZ experts, volunteers, and Times Core
reporters along with Editor-in-chief Julia Baik
joined to visit the historically important island
as well. Together, we toured around the island
and even had a chance to see North Korean territories.
To be environmentally-friendly,
buses and cars were not used.
Instead, children had to
walk or ride bicycles. The trip focused on North and South Korean
relations. Students learned
about the DMZ and our history through fun games. They also had a chance
to enjoy the locally caught crab, which the island is
famous for.
While spending time on the island, our student reporters learned about
Korea’s sad history as the only divided nation in the world.
When walking or cycling around the island,
damage done by the attacks that occurred a year ago was still
evident. The camp was also
a good chance for them to think about the importance of unification.
 On November
23, 2010, Yeonpyeongdo was attacked by North Korea. The North’s shelling damaged many buildings
and the environment, setting houses
and trees on fire. Two South Korean Marines and two civilians were killed. Many
others were injured. The island is still
scarred with burnt forests, damaged houses and
roads. New homes are being built because some were destroyed.
“Many of us don’t really know about our history, the relationship between the
North and South, and North Korea itself,” said Julia Baik, who heads The Kids Times and
The Teen Times newspapers. “The North is very close to us and people
have to know that we are one country, one family. It was a great opportunity for our student
reporters and other participants to learn about
the importance of reuniting our country. Also, it was a great chance
to learn the true meaning of DMZ and NLL,”
she added. |
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