Preparing To Go To Korea

In the summer our family will be going to South Korea (and a few other places).  While we are there we will visit the border between South Korea and North Korea.  We have had dress codes before when we have traveled around Asia, particularly in stricter Muslim areas, but we have never come across such a strict dress code as we will face on this tour.  The details below were sent to us when we confirmed our reservation for the tour of the border.  

Everyone MUST follow the dress code below. This is UNCMAC policy, not ours but we must enforce it.

*UNCMAC is the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission.

Civilian personnel must be appropriately dressed in casual, semi-formal or formal attire. This includes a dress suit, khakis or jean trousers with a Polo-style or formal collared shirt. Shoes must be closed-toe and can be either low quarters or boot. Backpacks, purses and camera bags are permitted, but must remain in the vehicle transporting the individual. Jackets and outerwear must be worn not carried.

The following civilian attire and accessories are strictly prohibited within the UNC MACHA:

(1) Shirts/tops without sleeves or which expose the midriff.

(2) Any clothing with insulting, profane, profane, provocation or demanding representations.

(3) Ripped jeans or trousers which expose undergarments or private parts of the anatomy.

(4) Shorts or skirts which are shorter than knee length.

(5) Outer articles of clothing which is are sheer or stretch material such as warm-ups pants and leggings.

(6) Sports uniforms, logos or athletic clothing of any kind.

(7) Shower shoes, sandals or open-toe shoes.

(8) Clothing with military-style camouflage, to include hunting apparel.

(9) Oversized clothing or excessively baggy trousers.

(10) Leather “Biker” vests and leather riding chaps.

(11) Umbrellas (except for during periods of precipitation).

(12) Tripods (except for authorized media)

Visitors wearing attire deemed inappropriate by the UNCSB-JSA security escorts will not be permitted to enter the UNC MACHA.

The reason for the strict dress code are fears by the South Koreans that the North Koreans will take pictures of the tourists and use it for state propaganda.

Here are some pictures, taken from the Internet, of what we expect to see:

 The DMZ or Demilitarized Zone is a 4 kilometer wide zone that goes between North and South Korea.  It is like a buffer zone between the two countries

Panmunjom (an abandoned village) is where the ceasefire was signed (in one of these two blue buildings) between North and South Korea. The line between the two types of concrete pavement is the border between North and South Korea.  The men in uniforms in the foreground are South Korean.