The 3rd Tunnel, Discovered in 1978: A 3-Hour DMZ Route Starting at Imjingak

1,635 m, from the 1974 tip-off to its discovery on June 10, 1978

Excavation of the Third Tunnel began following information provided on September 5, 1974, by Kim Bu-seong, who had defected from North Korea. It was discovered on June 10, 1978, when the sound of an explosion and water gushing from a borehole were detected. According to information from Paju City, the tunnel is 1,635 m long, approximately 2 m wide and 2 m high, and is located 12 km from Munsan and 52 km from Seoul.

This is not a tunnel that can be visited independently with individual admission. Rather, it is one stop on DMZ Peace Tourism, which passes through the Civilian Control Zone. Its key significance is that visitors experience the reality of the DMZ, established 2 km north and south of the Military Demarcation Line following the Armistice Agreement of July 27, 1953, through both an underground passage and above-ground access-control procedures.

From the first bus at 09:20 to the final weekend departure at 15:30 from the Imjingak ticket office

The Third Tunnel should be understood as a site reached by purchasing a DMZ Peace Tourism ticket at the Imjingak Tourist Site ticket office and traveling by bus, rather than as a place to visit independently by going directly to its address. According to guidance from the Korea Tourism Organization, connecting buses operate from 09:20 to 15:00 on weekdays and from 09:20 to 15:30 on weekends. On-site ticket sales and reservation ticket issuance are available from 09:00 to 14:30.

The full itinerary, from departure at Imjingak through the Third Tunnel, Dorasan Observatory, and Tongilchon and back, takes approximately three hours. Paju City advises that tickets often sell out and sales close early, so especially on weekends, it is better to arrive at Imjingak in time for a morning departure. Services and access may be canceled without prior notice depending on military conditions, severe weather, and safety requirements.

Adults: ₩9,200 on foot or ₩12,200 by elevator—the choice made when buying your ticket

For general adults, DMZ Peace Tourism fees are ₩9,200 for entry on foot and ₩12,200 when using the elevator. The listed fees for youths are ₩7,000 on foot and ₩9,500 by elevator, while seniors pay ₩6,200 on foot and ₩7,700 by elevator. These fees are not admission charges for the Third Tunnel alone; they include the DMZ Peace Tourism bus departing from Imjingak and use of the tour course.

When buying your ticket, you also choose the bus departure time and the method of entering the tunnel. The walking route requires going up and down a sloped path, while the elevator route involves moving through a narrow space but is relatively less strenuous. Both methods are listed as taking approximately 15 minutes round trip, but given the tunnel's narrow, low interior, it is safer to choose based on your physical condition rather than speed.

Why you cannot depart from Imjingak without the original passport or driver's license

All visitors may purchase tickets only after their identity has been verified. Korean nationals must bring an original resident registration card, driver's license, or passport. Foreign nationals must bring an original passport, foreigner registration card, or U.S. military ID. Photos or screenshots of identification and passports whose period of stay has expired are not accepted. Minors may enter when accompanied by an adult guardian.

Mobile driver's licenses, mobile national veterans registration cards, and the Government24 mobile resident registration card verification service are included among the accepted forms of identification, but telecommunications-company apps such as PASS are not accepted. Wearing hats and sunglasses may be restricted during inspections. Since tickets can be purchased only after everyone in the group who has actually arrived at Imjingak is present, it is not appropriate for only one representative to queue first.

A complete ban on photography and video, plus the low ceiling inside the Third Tunnel

According to Paju City guidance, photography and video recording are completely prohibited throughout the DMZ Peace Tourism course, including the use of drones. The restriction also applies while traveling by bus, so visitors should consider the tour an itinerary in which they follow on-site instructions regarding storage and control of cameras rather than preparing to take photographs. Entry outside designated areas is prohibited because there may be unconfirmed minefields.

The interior of the Third Tunnel is cramped and steeply sloped. Entry may be restricted for elderly visitors, people with high or low blood pressure, those who are physically or mentally frail, people with respiratory difficulties, and people who have been drinking alcohol. Wheelchair users and people with limited mobility may also be restricted from entering the tunnel. If viewing the interior is difficult, it is more practical to adjust the itinerary around the exhibition hall, DMZ Video Hall, and above-ground sculptures.

Three stops on Paju's DMZ Peace Tourism route, including Dorasan Observatory and Tongilchon

Paju DMZ Peace Tourism generally departs from Imjingak and visits the Third Tunnel, Dorasan Observatory, and Tongilchon in that order. This is not a free-form visit allowing extended time at the Third Tunnel; visitors move according to the bus schedule and military controls. It is therefore best to use the restroom, get drinks, and adjust your clothing before departing from Imjingak.

The on-site address of the Third Tunnel is 210-358 Je3ttangul-ro, Gunnae-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do. The practical departure point for ticketing and tourism information is the Imjingak Tourist Site. By public transportation, take bus 93-9 or 058 from Munsan Station on the Gyeongui–Jungang Line to the Imjingak stop. By car, use the Imjingak parking lot. The listed prepaid daily rates are ₩1,000 for compact cars, ₩2,000 for small and midsize vehicles, and ₩5,000 for large vehicles.

Closed on Mondays and weekday public holidays; reconfirm at 031-954-0303 before departure

Regular closing days are every Monday, public holidays that fall on weekdays, and the day of Seollal and Chuseok. Tours are generally available on Saturdays and Sundays and on the other days of the Seollal and Chuseok holiday periods, but because this location is subject to military and weather variables, you should confirm again whether services are operating on the day of departure.

The DMZ Peace Tourism ticket office can be reached at 031-954-0303 and 031-954-0640. Tourism information is available at 031-953-4744 and 031-950-1974. The official reservation website is https://dmz.paju.go.kr, and Paju City's official tourism website also provides links to reservations and notices. It is also worth noting that foreign nationals are not eligible for fee reductions under Paju City ordinances.

• Recommended items: an accepted original form of identification, comfortable walking shoes, and a posture suitable for low ceilings
• May not be suitable for: visitors uncomfortable in enclosed, sloped spaces or those who need to travel by wheelchair into the tunnel interior
• Key principles: arrive at Imjingak earlier than the ticketing time, and strictly observe the photography ban and assembly times