DMZ Peace Trail Reopening 2026: Seoul Seeks UNC Nod for Border Access
South Korea aims to reopen three closed DMZ Peace Trail sections in 2026. The Unification Ministry is seeking approval from the UN Command for the Paju, Cheorwon, and Goseong routes.
Can a trekking path bridge the gap between two worlds? South Korea's Unification Ministry announced it's seeking consultations with the U.N. Command (UNC) to reopen three shuttered sections of the DMZ Peace Trail by the end of the year.
The Push for DMZ Peace Trail Reopening 2026
According to Yonhap, the government is moving to restore public access to trail sectors in Paju, Cheorwon, and Goseong. These paths, located deep within the buffer zone, were closed in April 2024 as tensions with North Korea spiked. The ministry's plan follows a policy report submitted to the Lee Jae Myung government last month, aiming to revive the 11 routes originally launched in 2019.
I'll make efforts to have the Peace Trail reclaim its full course... in line with the government's measures to preemptively restore trust.
Minister Chung Dong-young visited a closed section in Goseong on January 21, 2026, signaling a strong political will to normalize civilian access to the highly fortified border area.
Sovereignty vs. Armistice: The UNC Challenge
The project's success hinges on the UNC, which oversees the DMZ as the enforcer of the 1950-53 armistice. While the ministry argues that military armistice shouldn't restrict 'peaceful use,' the UNC has historically prioritized security over tourism.
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