Group of New Zealand bikers cross from North to South Korea

 
Five New Zealand motorcyclists crossed the South Korea-North Korea border on Thursday - the first time foreigners have crossed the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on bikes according to the South Korean unification ministry.          

Among the bike riders were New Zealand businessman and motorcycle adventurer Gareth Morgan and his wife Jo Morgan who started their trip from Magadan, in the Russian Far East. They entered North Korea on August 16.            

After visiting Mount Paekdu in the very north and the capital Pyongyang in North Korea, they crossed the border and arrived at the Inter-Korea Custom, Immigration and Quarantine Office in Paju, South Korea.                

Both Koreas gave rare permissions to the motorcyclists to cross the heavily armed border.                 

The South Korean unification ministry said on Wednesday in Seoul that it decided to allow the bikers to cross the border as their trip is contributing to peace in the Korean Peninsula and is acknowledging the reality of the divided countries.                 

The five bikers will be touring various locations in South Korea including Mount Hallasan on the Jeju island located in the southern part of the country before their departure on September 17.


AP