[Global Frame]
Unique border
by Kim Do-yeon, International Reporter, hana14@mju.ac.kr
What comes to mind when you first think of the border of country. Because our country is the only divided nation in the world, people will think of soldier, gun and line that they cannot cross.
Would other countries' border be like this? Other countries differ from Korea's border. Unlike the nation, it is easy to see border that doesn't have wire. Let's look at countries that has not the wire but usual line as their border.
The United States - Mexico
In this border, there are people who play volleyball across the border. Because of low border, it is used as a volleyball net. People enjoy sports freely on opposite sides of the border.
The left side of this photo is Mexico and right side is The United States. The two countries coexist and enjoy each other like above photo, but they show the polar opposite of appearance.
While Mexico looks a little pastoral scenery, The United States shows representative appearance of big city that is crowded with buildings. Actually, people said that if you pass the border, you feel difference of two countries immediately.
Netherlands-Belgium
This place is a one of cafés which is located in baarle. If you walk only a step, you will be in other country. The criss cross pattern in the photo is the border. There is not a particular device and the border is just a white sign.
Baarle is known for having the most complicated border in the world. You can move to Netherlands and Belgium countless times a day. Baarle is located in Netherlands’ border and 22 Belgium regions exist in the village. The village was named Baarle-Nassau in Netherlands and Baarle-Hertog in Belgium. The border crosses some houses’ living room or garden. Even though people live in same building, they may pay the tax to other country each other.
At once, Netherlands’ restaurant must be close before Belgium’s closing time. Each time in restaurant across the border, guests move to a part of restaurant that is located in Belgium region.
Poland-Ukraine
One road between Poland and Ukraine is the border. Two countries make the border fun. Like the photo, looking at it from a distance, you can see two fishes across the border. These fishes see a different side and look like quite activation. People in the village cultivate as shape of fishes and the border is crossing the middle. It is part of a exhibition in 2012.
Slovakia-Hungary-Austria
The border of three countries is divided to triangle table. One triangle table in green meadows present the border. Three countries spread from sides of the triangle. If you talk with friends on the table’s sides, amazing scenery that you talk in different countries is formed. The situation that they can go back and forth between three countries is compared with Korea.
Sweden-Norway
The white sign is written on the Sweden and Norway road. It is the only line that exists between two countries. The sidewalk right next to it is installed without any divice to have people walk. It is no more than normal border and doesn’t examine passport when people cross the border.
Spain-Portugal
People can move to Portugal by riding a rope in Spain. It is interesting that people can go to other country with exciting way. People can cross the border without person who stand guard as if we cross a city line in Korea. Another interesting aspect is it is possible to move back by one hour if you cross the river. Because Portugal uses same time with England.
China-Pakistan
The border between China and Pakistan is famous for the highest border in the world. Two countries face each other with Khunjerab Pass that is hill in 4,500m above sea level between them. People travel this place with sickness due to the high altitude. Two countries are divided with not wire but sign rock. Although the border line is not strict, people can move to other country after toughly checked.
However, Korea has the broadest border line and Demilitarized Zone is 4km. South and North Korea is absolutely separated despite same ethnic roots. Above border is feature free atmosphere than our country.
As the borders in contrast with Korea, it reminds of painful past. MJP hopes that our country will have more flexible border and the border disappears in the future.