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CNN Live Sunday

Dangerous Divide

Aired September 21, 2003 - 10:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Time for another installment in our special series, Dangerous Divide. CNN's Martin Savidge takes us for us for a walk in the rain, but not just any walk. This one is in no man's land: the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You are looking at probably one of the most famous backdrops in all of the demilitarized zone here. You are staring north, looking over Panmunjom. And I am walking along here on what is referred to as Conference Row.

The border, or MDL, as it's referred to, the military demarcation line, runs right through the center of the entire complex. It's about 25 feet in that direction. One thing you always have to keep in mind here in the DMZ, 50 years ago there was an armistice that brought an end to the Korean War, but not officially a peace agreement. In other words, technically, the two sides are still in a state of war. Two million soldiers on either side of the DMZ ready to take up that war again, if need be.

But here in Panmunjom, this is the only place where the two former enemies come as close together as they do anywhere along the DMZ. They're literally separated only by a couple of inches. In fact, I'll show you exactly how many inches.

This is the border right here. It is 16 to 17 inches of concrete. I cross over that line, there's a problem. Somebody comes from the north across that line, that's a problem as well.

The blue buildings that you may see around me here are a critical part of the DMZ and Panmunjom. They're a neutral meeting place for the United States, for South Korea and North Korean military officials and humanitarian aid experts to come together to talk and meet on common ground. All of the confrontation here is visual, and posture is key. It is all about how you look and stand.

This is a rock soldier, a Republic of Korea soldier. And notice the way he is standing. The building is protecting him. He's half exposed to the north.

The sunglasses shielding his eyes. You don't know where he's looking; you can bet he's focused toward the north.

Then there is the way that he is standing. This is called the rock ready position. It is a martial arts stance for Tai Kwon Do. Almost all of these guards here are black belt experts.

The American soldiers that stand here, they're usually at least six feet tall. The South Koreans have to be about 5'8", two inches above average for South Korea.

When the Americans are here, they don't wear the sunglasses. They want the North Koreans to see their eyes. They don't wear coats either in the rain or in the wintertime, believing that that projects weakness. It is all about showing strength here and posturing yourself to have a face-off with North Korea.

Lastly, let me point out the rules. I'm not allowed in any way, shape or form, to point, gesture or wave towards North Korea. No one's allowed to cross the border. Also, there is not allowed to be any communication, shouting or trying to talk to the North Korea guards. And lastly, as a civilian, there's even a dress code. Nothing outlandish, nothing too revealing, and you don't wear blue jeans.

The reason for that, strict rules, is because everyone knows that if anyone steps out of line, it could have disastrous consequences. But here at Panmunjom, it has worked for over 50 years. Preserving of peace that has strained, but never broken.

Martin Savidge, CNN, in the DMZ, South Korea.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired September 21, 2003 - 10:26   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Time for another installment in our special series, Dangerous Divide. CNN's Martin Savidge takes us for us for a walk in the rain, but not just any walk. This one is in no man's land: the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You are looking at probably one of the most famous backdrops in all of the demilitarized zone here. You are staring north, looking over Panmunjom. And I am walking along here on what is referred to as Conference Row.

The border, or MDL, as it's referred to, the military demarcation line, runs right through the center of the entire complex. It's about 25 feet in that direction. One thing you always have to keep in mind here in the DMZ, 50 years ago there was an armistice that brought an end to the Korean War, but not officially a peace agreement. In other words, technically, the two sides are still in a state of war. Two million soldiers on either side of the DMZ ready to take up that war again, if need be.

But here in Panmunjom, this is the only place where the two former enemies come as close together as they do anywhere along the DMZ. They're literally separated only by a couple of inches. In fact, I'll show you exactly how many inches.

This is the border right here. It is 16 to 17 inches of concrete. I cross over that line, there's a problem. Somebody comes from the north across that line, that's a problem as well.

The blue buildings that you may see around me here are a critical part of the DMZ and Panmunjom. They're a neutral meeting place for the United States, for South Korea and North Korean military officials and humanitarian aid experts to come together to talk and meet on common ground. All of the confrontation here is visual, and posture is key. It is all about how you look and stand.

This is a rock soldier, a Republic of Korea soldier. And notice the way he is standing. The building is protecting him. He's half exposed to the north.

The sunglasses shielding his eyes. You don't know where he's looking; you can bet he's focused toward the north.

Then there is the way that he is standing. This is called the rock ready position. It is a martial arts stance for Tai Kwon Do. Almost all of these guards here are black belt experts.

The American soldiers that stand here, they're usually at least six feet tall. The South Koreans have to be about 5'8", two inches above average for South Korea.

When the Americans are here, they don't wear the sunglasses. They want the North Koreans to see their eyes. They don't wear coats either in the rain or in the wintertime, believing that that projects weakness. It is all about showing strength here and posturing yourself to have a face-off with North Korea.

Lastly, let me point out the rules. I'm not allowed in any way, shape or form, to point, gesture or wave towards North Korea. No one's allowed to cross the border. Also, there is not allowed to be any communication, shouting or trying to talk to the North Korea guards. And lastly, as a civilian, there's even a dress code. Nothing outlandish, nothing too revealing, and you don't wear blue jeans.

The reason for that, strict rules, is because everyone knows that if anyone steps out of line, it could have disastrous consequences. But here at Panmunjom, it has worked for over 50 years. Preserving of peace that has strained, but never broken.

Martin Savidge, CNN, in the DMZ, South Korea.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com