The DMZ as a Landscape of Peace: Interview with Seung-ho Kim

Director / Ecologist Seung-ho Kim (right)

In popular media, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is often portrayed solely as a geopolitical fault line—a forbidden space defined by military tension and national security. Yet the DMZ is far more than a political boundary. It is a landscape where Korea’s modern history is deeply inscribed and where, paradoxically, decades of restricted human access have allowed ecosystems to flourish. Seung-ho Kim, Director of the DMZ Ecology Research Institute, seeks to reframe the DMZ not only as a symbol of division, but as one of peace, coexistence, and harmony between humans and nature.

Q: What first motivated you to study the DMZ?

A: My interest in the DMZ began almost by coincidence. When I worked as a high school teacher, I often took students to explore nature near the Imjin River. Beyond the river lay the DMZ, sealed off by barbed wire. Simply seeing it sparked my curiosity—I wanted to know what lay beyond.

Later, as Chair of the Environmental Action Committee and Secretary-General of the Sustainable Development Committee, I participated in various environmental initiatives that eventually gave me access to the DMZ. Entering the area was an extraordinary experience. After that, I gathered others who shared my interest, and we began conducting research focused on the DMZ.

Q: During your research, what moment left the strongest impression on you?

A: The DMZ is filled with breathtaking scenery, so it is difficult to pinpoint a single moment. Watching flocks of cranes take flight, for instance, is unforgettable. However, what moved me most was seeing students encounter these scenes with genuine awe. Observing their wonder reminded me why this place matters.

Q: How important is historical understanding when studying the DMZ?

A: It is absolutely essential. The DMZ was created in the aftermath of World War II as a result of conflict between fundamentally different political ideologies. Even today, the political context remains deeply relevant. How one interprets the history of the DMZ directly shapes how one approaches the issue of its future and the question of reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.

Q: The DMZ is often viewed through the lens of national defense and diplomacy. How does this limit public understanding of its ecological significance?

A: Because the DMZ is so heavily militarized, civilian access is almost impossible. Even when limited access is granted, research is extremely difficult due to landmines and security restrictions. Yet this very inaccessibility has allowed nature to thrive with minimal human interference. In that sense, the DMZ has become ecologically significant precisely because it has remained off-limits.

Q: You have emphasized preserving the DMZ ecosystem, such as proposing the Han River Estuary Wetlands as a Ramsar Site. How should conservation be balanced with calls for ecotourism?

A: There are several possible approaches to the DMZ: strict conservation, a balance between public access and preservation, or unrestricted use. Ecotourism is often presented as a compromise—raising awareness by increasing public access. However, tourism inevitably brings infrastructure such as shops and cafés, which undermines the DMZ’s intrinsic value.

The DMZ is special because it developed naturally, without human interference. Rather than promoting large-scale tourism, we should focus on designating key sites for protection and conducting research that demonstrates the area’s ecological and historical significance.

Q: How did your work in the DMZ change your perspective on history and nature?

A: Historically, I came to realize that the division of Korea did not begin solely with the Korean War. Its roots stretch back to the Industrial Revolution, when nations with access to fossil fuels gained the power to imperialize countries like Korea, which had been excluded from those developments. This made me reflect on how resource inequality continues to shape global power—and how it complicates the possibility of reunification.

In terms of nature, my philosophy also changed. I came to believe that nothing in nature exists by coincidence. Every element exists in a symbiotic relationship, requiring balance and harmony to sustain itself.

Q: Many students view the humanities and sciences as completely separate fields. How can studying DMZ ecology benefit students interested in history or international relations?

A: Many of today’s global challenges, including the climate crisis, are the result of human culture and historical choices. To address these problems, we must understand the cultural and historical contexts that produced them. In that sense, the humanities and sciences are deeply interconnected. Ecology, in particular, is foundational to understanding our world—excluding it means overlooking a crucial dimension of global issues.

Q: What is your long-term vision for the DMZ Ecology Research Institute?

A: My hope is that the students I educate will grow into leaders who see global issues as their own and who actively work to transform the world for the better.