The hidden village just metres from North Korea | BBC News

The tiny village of Taesung sits deep in the heart of Korea’s Demilitarised Zone - the strip of no-man’s land separating North and South Korea.
The community of South Koreans, many aged in their 80s and 90s, live mere metres from North Korea, meaning they must be guarded day and night by hundreds of soldiers.
The village was established at the end of the Korean War as a symbol of peace, but 70 years later, the Korean Peninsula is still divided, and over the past year tensions between the two countries have flared.
The BBC’s Seoul correspondent Jean Mackenzie has secured rare access to the village, the people who live there and the soldiers who guard them. Filmed and edited by Hosu Lee.
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Пікірлер: 647

  • @alberteinsteinthejew
    @alberteinsteinthejew2 ай бұрын

    Harvesting crops with soldiers watching, feels like an apocalypse movie

  • @c0gimyun

    @c0gimyun

    2 ай бұрын

    we are in an apocalypse movie

  • @Mahlak_Mriuani_Anatman

    @Mahlak_Mriuani_Anatman

    2 ай бұрын

    The world is dystopian, a bleak universe is all we got

  • @unvcht5046

    @unvcht5046

    2 ай бұрын

    Maybe only to you but I would love plus not pay for tax and rent lol just have a hot girl living with you with 20 kids and live life with latest technology

  • @villagecat5539

    @villagecat5539

    2 ай бұрын

    That village is an administrative district for the U.S. military. Exemption from conscription and taxes. Even the President of Korea cannot enter the country without US military permission.

  • @ygpwnxd_xd752

    @ygpwnxd_xd752

    2 ай бұрын

    @@villagecat5539👍👍☝🏾 Vow really dude this news if it’s true then it’s unbelievable imagining such rules N laws do take place in a unknown village .

  • @TheEdgeOfUnknown
    @TheEdgeOfUnknown2 ай бұрын

    The old lady that offered cabbage to the cameraman reminds me so much of my grandma…still kind, loving and persevering through life after having for sure lived through so much trauma and hard times. Wishing nothing but the best for all Koreans, may the Kim dynasty meet its end soon.

  • @rajoarcheryutama

    @rajoarcheryutama

    2 ай бұрын

    But watch how she react when she met the northener. Eventough that's lawfully and politically correct reaction, I think ,humanely, she shouldn't rat the escapee to the military.

  • @EagerElectricCar-de1ss

    @EagerElectricCar-de1ss

    2 ай бұрын

    @The EdgeOfUnknown. . . Sweet Grandma!😊 I've been to SoKors' Nonsan Province and lived there for more than a month, old people who are farming do offer and gave some of their crops . .when i do my walking and passby an ajushi or ajuma, i do receive some tomatoes. . .cucumber. . .onions. . Etc...from them...

  • @MrNixe07

    @MrNixe07

    2 ай бұрын

    @@rajoarcheryutama its not only lawfully and politically correct reaction, its what she's used to. Her husband was killed by North Koreans, leaving her to care for their 6 children alone. Do you expect her to be kind to the people who killed her husband? I appreciate you're empathy, but empathy is a luxury for people like us who haven't experienced tragedy from war. You just cant judge her reaction based off of that.

  • @MelanieDoyle-cl6yw

    @MelanieDoyle-cl6yw

    2 ай бұрын

    'people like us" is doing a lot of heavy lifting

  • @marymarlow3646

    @marymarlow3646

    Ай бұрын

    She was probably thinking wtf am I going to do with all these cabbages 😂 it’s what I was thinking.

  • @mexicotaco0913
    @mexicotaco09132 ай бұрын

    not sure why captions are missing in some parts but: 3:20 "after the armistice, there were no [buses] at all. Then they started to come once a week, once every three days..." and 3:41 "it would be nice [to do my hair] once every month, but it's too much of a hassle."

  • @1certain

    @1certain

    2 ай бұрын

    At 3:20 she says, "Even right after the armistice, I barely ever saw any vehicles* pass through the village. Then they would arrive once a week, then once every 3 days, and now it's 3 times in a single day." 3:41 "It would be nice to go once a month, but I'm lazy*." (Assuming she is alluding to how out-of-the-way and inconvenient it is to leave the village even for a haircut, which is why she says she is "lazy")

  • @jwang1978

    @jwang1978

    2 ай бұрын

    thank you !

  • @DennisTheInternationalMenace

    @DennisTheInternationalMenace

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you! I was just about to comment on the poor translations from BBC.

  • @DennisTheInternationalMenace

    @DennisTheInternationalMenace

    Ай бұрын

    ​@@1certainTy for the accurate translation!

  • @jkim47ill

    @jkim47ill

    Ай бұрын

    BBC sucks with the translations

  • @eireman51
    @eireman512 ай бұрын

    I'd reckon that village has absolutely no crime.

  • @vladimirdaljic5078

    @vladimirdaljic5078

    2 ай бұрын

    ofc when theres only few dozen gramps and grannies and armed soldiers

  • @user-vg5hc3bc8q

    @user-vg5hc3bc8q

    2 ай бұрын

    하지만 군부대 인근 마을주민들은 군인들에게 편의서비스를 제공할때 바가지요금을 요구합니다. 한국에서 군인은 사회 최하위 계급취급하고 있습니다.

  • @danielp415

    @danielp415

    2 ай бұрын

    Well they basically have a private army 😂

  • @alexandramcginnis8872

    @alexandramcginnis8872

    Ай бұрын

    One of those grannies gotta be secretly doing some internet piracy

  • @sherrygadberryturner9527

    @sherrygadberryturner9527

    Ай бұрын

    @@user-vg5hc3bc8qYeah, it’s not like they would be the first line of defense for the people. 😤🤬🤬

  • @user-uw7ly5hr8j
    @user-uw7ly5hr8j2 ай бұрын

    I'm a Korean living in Paju, but it's my first time seeing the life of a Taeseong villager. Thank you BBC.

  • @Ed_Stuckey

    @Ed_Stuckey

    25 күн бұрын

    I was in the US Army in the 1960s. On one tour of duty, I was at a base near Dongducheon. On another tour, I was stationed near Paju ree. I've seen recent images of both areas and find it beyond amazing how different the country is now. Third-world to first-world in one giant step.

  • @morganwalumoli8463

    @morganwalumoli8463

    2 күн бұрын

    Mmmh

  • @branchgaa
    @branchgaa2 ай бұрын

    The reality of families having been seperated after the war, the elderly would certainly want Korea united, but perhaps the youth don't know much about this unless they listen to the elderly. Makes me think about why they might choose to live there, in remembrance and hoping to see thier family again.

  • @apReaL17

    @apReaL17

    2 ай бұрын

    And it’s heartbreaking

  • @goldhawk151

    @goldhawk151

    2 ай бұрын

    Plus the people who live there get lots of privileges like tax and military exemptions. Their crops are also sold at a good price

  • @Erick-ev5zt

    @Erick-ev5zt

    2 ай бұрын

    I literally got teary eyes when that old man told the reporter about his older brother who got trapped in the North when the war broke. That's really sad not knowing whether your sibling is dead or alive at this very moment.

  • @YourSense114

    @YourSense114

    Ай бұрын

    It’s devastation and unbearable pain created by men to separate from love ones. Unbeknownst to those who cultivated this painful policies already they have their consequences,no criminals will be at large forever, they will test painful consequences on judgement day Because of worldly materials, power, to conquer to divide and with greediness the tiny minority set it an agenda and political strategy and ideology that they propagated , promoted and manipulated. None of young generation of today or tomorrow will ever understand why’s but few who are gifted with consciousness knows why certain powerful, educated , intelligent with principle thoughts and patriotic nations were targeted and isolated or sanctioned. If you ever been bullied at school and everyday new kid is used against you and none of these kids you wronged but one devil kid is bullying everyone against you and the devil kid won’t leave you alone until you bow to the devil and if you agree to become puppet then the devil targets the next kid. But if the other kid refuses to be bullied the rest of the kids will be used a weapon against him/ her. This world will never get better either in peace or in equality, the powerful puppets will always be used to attack the helpless or the weak , no matter how hard people fight back with words, pen or with platforms justice will never prevail on this planet, the very reason God created two paths, the good and the path and will have our certificates for the next life and will know who wronged who? Every cold case you ever wondered who killed who, you will witness and all secrets will become no secrets PERIOD Try to pick the good path and avoid worshipping worldly materials and hurting others

  • @smek22071975

    @smek22071975

    Ай бұрын

    @@YourSense114 Try to pick the good path and avoid worshipping worldly materials and hurting others But you also say, the very reason god created two paths. So either path is gods path. You religious people are the dumbest people on Earth. Why must you go with some book with stories. Make up your own mind and be free?

  • @incisivecommenter5974
    @incisivecommenter59742 ай бұрын

    My father fought in the Korean war 1950-1953, he was 17 when he was drafted. He passed in 2016. Towards the end of his life, he talked about the war, very traumatic stories.

  • @user-vg5hc3bc8q

    @user-vg5hc3bc8q

    2 ай бұрын

    그의 노고에 감사합니다. Thank you for your service.

  • @incisivecommenter5974

    @incisivecommenter5974

    2 ай бұрын

    @user-vg5hc3bc8q Thank you for recognizing his service❤️🇺🇲❤️🇰🇷❤️ I hope one day there's peace.

  • @gm2282

    @gm2282

    2 ай бұрын

    Same with my father

  • @ShutupNKissme

    @ShutupNKissme

    2 ай бұрын

    Idiot​@@user-vg5hc3bc8q

  • @yoobinjung35

    @yoobinjung35

    Ай бұрын

    🇰🇷🇺🇸🇺🇳 👮🏻‍♂️👮🏼‍♀️👮🏾 🗽

  • @westnilesnipes
    @westnilesnipes2 ай бұрын

    It’s a bit sad to think one day this village will be as deserted as the one that sits in the North…

  • @linus4108

    @linus4108

    2 ай бұрын

    the north Korean village is always used as a propaganda "city", you could actually see that the village actually has some modern tall buildings to prove that the north is a capable county, but it is just a shell nobody lives there except for military

  • @theMcWOPPER

    @theMcWOPPER

    2 ай бұрын

    No it won't.

  • @mykolakozak

    @mykolakozak

    21 күн бұрын

    Same I doubt … NK will collapse

  • @HLJlovejoy
    @HLJlovejoyАй бұрын

    Praying for reunification. My mom’s siblings were separated by the war & she’s never heard from or seen them since late 40s. It’s truly unimaginable & heartbreaking.

  • @julianpignat9095

    @julianpignat9095

    Ай бұрын

    you know why , Truman said no do not attack korea and general MacAther the the USA army in 1950 invaider Korea

  • @kbengson9163

    @kbengson9163

    26 күн бұрын

    As long as the Dictator and the family bloodline is in power reunification will never ever ever ever (did I say ever?) happen because they would lose too much control and that is the thing that scares them to death is losing power and control of the people and money.

  • @andromedamessier3176

    @andromedamessier3176

    13 сағат бұрын

    @@julianpignat9095 you forgot the soviet involvement in the conflict too.

  • @andromedamessier3176

    @andromedamessier3176

    13 сағат бұрын

    It has been almost 100 years. Both countries cultures in terms of society are so far detached from each other now. I don’t think it is possible.

  • @joshr8666
    @joshr86662 ай бұрын

    Never heard of these two villages in any other video i've ever seen on north korea.. Thanks BBC

  • @thehangmansdaughter1120
    @thehangmansdaughter11202 ай бұрын

    "We don't have to serve in the military" Oh Sweetie, you already are. Living under these conditions is your service.

  • @WilldyPS3

    @WilldyPS3

    2 ай бұрын

    Don't all South and North Koreans have mandatory military service?

  • @chan13153

    @chan13153

    2 ай бұрын

    @@WilldyPS3 I think its just males for south korea that have mandatory service

  • @WilldyPS3

    @WilldyPS3

    2 ай бұрын

    @@chan13153 It was a boy who said it

  • @user-mc6vi8yd7l

    @user-mc6vi8yd7l

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@chan13153 ? isn't NK mandatory service like 10 years

  • @chan13153

    @chan13153

    2 ай бұрын

    @@WilldyPS3 probably an exception for just those villagers then

  • @MrJm323
    @MrJm3232 ай бұрын

    "Tae Song Dong" is how we G.I.s (Second Infantry Division) knew it, when I was there in the 1980s, pulling patrols inside our small section of the DMZ and pulling duty on the observation posts inside the DMZ itself: "Guard Post Oullette" and "Guard Post Collier". It was my understanding that the North Korean "propaganda village", Kijong-dong, was uninhabited, but every day the North Korean authorities would truck in civilians to farm the fields, etc.. They would trucked back out in the evening. The North Korean flag, mounted on their pole (which of course is higher than the flagpole on the South's side), is supposedly the largest flag in the world. Like the soldier, here, explained, there is no physical barrier separating the Northern half of the 4 kilometer wide DMZ from the Southern half. There are only some rusted out yellow signs indicating the "MDL" ("Military Demarcation Line") along this line. The south-facing sides of these signs were in English and Korean, the north-facing sides in Chinese and Korean. Step beyond those, and you were in the North. ...So when you see photos of soldiers walking along a fence, that fence is the southern limit of the 4 KM-wide DMZ, rather than the actual line of demarcation between South and North Korea. One impression this video doesn't provide is the audial experience I remember: the propaganda speakers from each side, projecting music and spoken propaganda. (Usually pop music from the South Korean speakers, martial music from the North Korean ones.) It was made more eerie because the banks of speakers would be swivelled in various directions, and you could hear the music or words wafting in and out. Other than that, there wasn't much noise. There was very little traffic on the road (the main road from the gate to the Joint Security Area or "Panmunjom", the "truce village", which was a compound centered on three buildings [for conferences] which straddled the MDL). The JSA is the most tense place there -- the place most likely to erupt in violence (in case someone defected or one side were to trim a tree, whatever). ...Another eerie aspect was at night: most of the DMZ seemed to be in darkness. But, when you lifted your NOD (night observation device) up to your eyes, suddenly large swaths would be "lit up", because there were infrared lamps and spot lights, lighting up what each side thought was a critical part to have under constant observation, in a light wavelength invisible to the naked eye.

  • @anxioushellcat6075

    @anxioushellcat6075

    2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for sharing this! I think the scary part too is getting kidnapped by the DPRK soldiers.

  • @julianpignat9095

    @julianpignat9095

    Ай бұрын

    @@anxioushellcat6075 frist go to Pyongyang, passe the official way you will have no problem

  • @gakidomo9561

    @gakidomo9561

    Ай бұрын

    As a Korean living in Australia for freedom, thank you for your service. Do you think Korean war will resume and the border will stay the same or be different when the Korean war ends? 🤔

  • @gakidomo9561

    @gakidomo9561

    Ай бұрын

    ​@anxioushellcat6075 Yeah, apparently it happened couple times long time ago in some other village on the upper Incheon areas, the island place at night. I don't know why they kidnapping fellow neutral villagers but it's sad

  • @rodneyjweltham150
    @rodneyjweltham1502 ай бұрын

    Incredible documentary. Thank you BBC

  • @kibulb3143
    @kibulb31432 ай бұрын

    the story of the man who hasn't heard from his brother since the war really breaks my heart. Cellphones and stuff weren't a thing yet so I can't imagine how hard it was to contact someone even BEFORE the war.

  • @nasdaq15
    @nasdaq152 ай бұрын

    Amazing documentary and reporter. God bless those people

  • @carolinegodden4364

    @carolinegodden4364

    2 ай бұрын

    Very special Elders ❤

  • @lisasantiago2784
    @lisasantiago27842 ай бұрын

    The villagers looked happy and content in their simple life with friendly soldiers to protect them. 🙏🙏🙏

  • @mykolakozak

    @mykolakozak

    21 күн бұрын

    Really I didn’t see too much happiness

  • @lynnebvinson2888

    @lynnebvinson2888

    4 күн бұрын

    And I'm ready to move there! Get me a visa!

  • @shutup-gc2yk
    @shutup-gc2yk2 ай бұрын

    Every South Korean I know doesn't even think about reunification, and when asked about it, they'll tell you it's not going to work. It's been 70 years. The countries couldn't be any more different, and they know what it would entail for South Korean society and economy. Reunification dreams will be gone with the generation that lived through the war.

  • @shadowslayer9988

    @shadowslayer9988

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@simbaskiNorth Korea is not giving up there nukes or changing there government qnd South Korea is not changing their government eithier so reunification will not work.

  • @elfenengel162

    @elfenengel162

    2 ай бұрын

    Your first sentence "....it would work in 5 years...." and than came "however" . Reunification would lead to a downfall for southkorea! And there would still be division in there mind, culture and society.... ​@@simbaski

  • @eleven-ci1qj

    @eleven-ci1qj

    Ай бұрын

    watch the battle of yultong..how the filipino soldier defend the south korea to north korea and china

  • @verlorenish

    @verlorenish

    Ай бұрын

    Exactly, even if the DPRK fell China would step in again and install a new puppet government to keep a proxy in between South Korea (West) and it's own borders. It's that simple. The whole of North Korea is just a buffer zone for China.

  • @Code-pd5hy

    @Code-pd5hy

    25 күн бұрын

    ​@@eleven-ci1qj Overproud pinoy nanaman hayst. Wala rin sa topic.

  • @anthonylagunas6737
    @anthonylagunas67372 ай бұрын

    When I was stationed in the Army in S. Korea the US Army still had a sector to patrol in the DMZ. We were stationed at Camp Liberty Bell (DMZ). We would patrol in the winter. The JSA stayed in the truce village.

  • @joshr8666

    @joshr8666

    2 ай бұрын

    Is this the truce village?

  • @anthonylagunas6737

    @anthonylagunas6737

    2 ай бұрын

    @@joshr8666 No this is a village where people live and farm.

  • @FakeGothBitch

    @FakeGothBitch

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@anthonylagunas6737is this the one near to the observatory? If it is they have a small shop now and sell dried food to tourists + soybean ice cream obviously.

  • @anthonylagunas6737

    @anthonylagunas6737

    2 ай бұрын

    @@FakeGothBitch No it is farthing the DMZ.

  • @sangminlee3136
    @sangminlee31362 ай бұрын

    I am a farmer living like them. Nowadays We farmers have serious noise issues of millitary drills and blsting sounds of big guns. Thanks god our villege is sourrounded by big mountains.

  • @Garbeaux.

    @Garbeaux.

    2 ай бұрын

    North Korea acting up again? How do you deal with it? I don’t think my anxiety could handle it.

  • @sangminlee3136

    @sangminlee3136

    2 ай бұрын

    @@Garbeaux. You misunderstood me. North korea's nuk missile is not targeting southkorea. They are targeting japan and USA. It's developed defensive purposes only.

  • @sangminlee3136

    @sangminlee3136

    2 ай бұрын

    @@Garbeaux. Millutary power? North korea no match for Southkorea. Without US and Japan, South Korea can handle North Korea easily. But Geopolitics matters. USA wants to crush China. They want Japanese Navy and South Korean Army. They want South Korea as a door to urasian field.

  • @sangminlee3136

    @sangminlee3136

    2 ай бұрын

    @@Garbeaux. Tension between S-N in Korean Peninsular is deliberately caused by Japan and USA. They even support millitary dictatorship decades long. Still boosting right-wing party in korea.

  • @sangminlee3136

    @sangminlee3136

    2 ай бұрын

    @@Garbeaux. In short, north korea don't make me anxious. US 🇺🇸 make me anxious. I hate American military presence in korea.

  • @Kitana2020
    @Kitana2020Ай бұрын

    The man waiting for one day to reunite with his brother stuck in NK... This world is evil

  • @FirstLast-tp8bm
    @FirstLast-tp8bm2 ай бұрын

    For a lot of Koreans, reunification is like the Fountain of Youth. It sounds nice on paper, but even if you keep looking, you will never find it.

  • @steveerossa

    @steveerossa

    2 ай бұрын

    it will lead to cultural clashes, solidarity taxes being sent up north, and lots of crime from people raised under communism who don't respect private property.

  • @user-xz6gm3bq4s

    @user-xz6gm3bq4s

    2 ай бұрын

    my question has alway been what does the reunification look like? would it be the total take over of the north and haveing a westen korea lead my the US

  • @steveerossa

    @steveerossa

    2 ай бұрын

    @@user-xz6gm3bq4s Koreans will decide for themselves. There will be no more need for American soldiers but Korea will now share a border with russia. So they will need a larger army. As for ideology, it will be South Korean ideas. They succeeded, the north failed. You gotta go with what works. Can't go half and half on successful and failed ideas.

  • @shadowslayer9988

    @shadowslayer9988

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@steveerossaThen Unification ain't happening u less both sides get to keep their form of government and North Korea gets to keep it's nukes reunion will just be a delusional dream.

  • @shadowslayer9988

    @shadowslayer9988

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@user-xz6gm3bq4sReunification is not happening North Korea would NEVER except South Korea form of government and vice versa.

  • @ryanimal34
    @ryanimal342 ай бұрын

    The respect and appreciation the elders/ community members have for the ROK/US/UN soldiers shows how much the people in the community appreciate the fact that they can still live in their homes with some peace of mind because of the sacrifice these soldiers have made. I hope one day for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

  • @shrimpgeisha

    @shrimpgeisha

    2 ай бұрын

    I was stationed there when I was 19. The people who live in these villages are very sweet and appreciative. I'm sure we annoyed them at times, but they were quite gracious and kind.

  • @Gary_Ji
    @Gary_Ji2 ай бұрын

    Touched video! Hope those farmers will live in peace and tranquility, thanks BBC to show us how they lives like.

  • @JoseDuarte-jh5ss
    @JoseDuarte-jh5ss2 ай бұрын

    This was an incredible insight into one of the most peculiar places in the world.

  • @jrebz2329
    @jrebz2329Ай бұрын

    I love Korea 🇰🇷 💕 from Philippines 🇵🇭

  • @SourDoughBill
    @SourDoughBill2 ай бұрын

    Awesome. Great job Jean and Hosu. You captured both the beauty of the village and the people living there.

  • @BernardSantillan-bi9qg
    @BernardSantillan-bi9qg2 ай бұрын

    Brother against brother..😢

  • @mykolakozak

    @mykolakozak

    21 күн бұрын

    Fixed upon by an authoritarian regime. What they’re experts in

  • @xskrym
    @xskrym2 ай бұрын

    My heart breaks for these people and it breaks more for North Korean population. Lord have mercy on them.

  • @254Hesbon
    @254HesbonАй бұрын

    I feel for that Old Man who has never seen or heard from his mother since the war started😢

  • @user-eo7oh8px9e
    @user-eo7oh8px9eАй бұрын

    Ironically one of the safest towns in the world

  • @mduduzigama5534
    @mduduzigama55342 ай бұрын

    I live for these kind of documentaries. Thank you BBC. (shoutout from South Africa) ♥️

  • @f1peter27
    @f1peter272 ай бұрын

    Fantastic short film. Really insightful.

  • @sdd123
    @sdd1232 ай бұрын

    The military are so respectful. God bless all of the world’s troops.

  • @Awesomefishingvideo-bb2tf
    @Awesomefishingvideo-bb2tf2 ай бұрын

    wow proud of them

  • @pauls8456
    @pauls84562 ай бұрын

    Great documentary thanks for going to the effort of travelling there.

  • @boris8787
    @boris87872 ай бұрын

    For obvious reasons I wish the village of Taesung was exactly like my favourite village.

  • @tmausali
    @tmausali2 ай бұрын

    Amazing informative documentary. Thank you.

  • @leemackie8434
    @leemackie84342 ай бұрын

    That’s so very sad 💔

  • @FREE_PALESTINE____________4444
    @FREE_PALESTINE____________44442 ай бұрын

    I Wish Both Korea Can Reunite Peaceful 🇰🇵🇰🇷

  • @vcwloves9864
    @vcwloves98642 ай бұрын

    This was interesting. Thank you for covering it. You learn something new every day!

  • @psikopatte1
    @psikopatte117 күн бұрын

    Incredible. Thanks to show it

  • @clpr2023
    @clpr20232 ай бұрын

    I love that the older generation were able to stay in their village with good protection. Heartbreaking necessity, but they all seem to have a very good relationship. I would love to visit. The village people seem to be lovely people.

  • @DanZdrodowski
    @DanZdrodowski2 ай бұрын

    Excellent documentary!!!

  • @Unknownknown7
    @Unknownknown72 ай бұрын

    What a beautiful village I hope one day North and South reunite each other love from 🇵🇭

  • @CARL_093
    @CARL_0932 ай бұрын

    kudos to the staff and whole personnel who is part of this documentary

  • @antonstupivtsev3553
    @antonstupivtsev35532 ай бұрын

    Incredible report. Thank you BBC

  • @sbnu2351
    @sbnu23512 ай бұрын

    God Bless the citizens living near the border as well as their soldiers. I salute to them. 😊... ❤

  • @sydneygxekwa6315
    @sydneygxekwa6315Ай бұрын

    This why I'd always choose documentaries than movies. Real life this. Very sad what is happening to the Korean Peninsula. We pray for peace and better days. ❤️✌️

  • @northyorksimonkim
    @northyorksimonkim2 ай бұрын

    The old lady says some funny things in Korean, the subtitles don't justify it, she has a perfect Seoul accent but it very informal, compared to the very formal BBC English, so the juxtaposition is hilarious

  • @7212372frank
    @7212372frank2 ай бұрын

    This is great reporting

  • @TREASUREPHILS_Project
    @TREASUREPHILS_ProjectАй бұрын

    Went to the DMZ last month and as a foreigner getting to know the history of Koreanand seeing even just a glimpse of life inside the DMZ amazed and saddened me at the same time.

  • @BeingNeila
    @BeingNeila2 күн бұрын

    Wow very interesting to know n watch this video

  • @lfeb
    @lfeb2 ай бұрын

    Fascinating!

  • @derejeshone8244
    @derejeshone8244Күн бұрын

    Wonderful!

  • @patriciavillanueva7391
    @patriciavillanueva73912 ай бұрын

    You should translate the interviews with Koreans, the documentary doesn’t make sense without knowing what they said because you also didn’t post a resume after the interviews…

  • @MrCaptainSisko
    @MrCaptainSisko2 ай бұрын

    Full credit to the BBC for this documentary. Love this one but it should have been longer.

  • @bunnyfufu9933
    @bunnyfufu99334 күн бұрын

    Never knew such place existed. Thanks for sharing

  • @funnytortoise
    @funnytortoise9 күн бұрын

    What a beautiful documentary

  • @eustab.anas-mann9510
    @eustab.anas-mann95102 ай бұрын

    Perfect subtitles

  • @mgtowski395

    @mgtowski395

    2 ай бұрын

    Decent. A lot of things said were skipped over, and a few things translated were off a bit.

  • @accordiongordon

    @accordiongordon

    2 ай бұрын

    @@mgtowski395p sure they’re being sarcastic, considering the instances of missing subtitles

  • @hmj1116
    @hmj11162 ай бұрын

    When I was at South Korea in 1951 to 1953 I was an American soldier fought North Korea many of our troops died or have feet frozen had to amputate by American doctors it's very tragic.

  • @e36dhdbsjzb

    @e36dhdbsjzb

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you for your sacrifice sir!

  • @ghost84429
    @ghost844293 күн бұрын

    This was fascinating to watch.

  • @truthandtranslucent
    @truthandtranslucent2 ай бұрын

    I’ve been there. It’s actually quite easy to drive a car in these gray areas

  • @HenryCoffery
    @HenryCoffery2 ай бұрын

    i served at kunsan airbase for the u.s airforce and never even heard about this! great documentary bbc

  • @1missing
    @1missingАй бұрын

    At around 5:42 in the bottom right hand you can see what looks like a car driving down the road. It might not be a village like Taesung, but it's definitely occupied by somebody.

  • @lancecorporal7605
    @lancecorporal76052 ай бұрын

    bravo~! BBC

  • @marketads1
    @marketads12 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for this. I’m an American whose daughter dreams to teach in S Korea. I’ve always been concerned about the conflict, and more so in the last few years as Kim threatens with missiles. These people are so lovely and live on hope for the future. They are willing to show that with their actions.

  • @Mary-tq4ge
    @Mary-tq4ge9 күн бұрын

    Man those perks the villagers are given are worthwhile, it's quite, and of course don't forget the country feel,

  • @ryantomei
    @ryantomeiАй бұрын

    Thanks for skipping subtitles for that sweet old lady…. Anyone know what she was saying? Because BBC seemingly ignored to translate for us.

  • @DanielSPark-by6cm

    @DanielSPark-by6cm

    18 күн бұрын

    3:17 "Even after the ceasefire, there was no car (public transit). It used to be once in a week, then once in three days, and now, it's three times a day." 3:42 "It would be better to get my hair done once a month, but... because it's cumbersome." Also: 4:45 - the interpreter says "I like you very much, too!" after the man says "USA number one!" 4:53 - I can't hear what the lady says but the soldier replies "thank you" in Korean. 12:50 - the woman says "yeah, mom doesn't work today" out of context.

  • @MrMRW14
    @MrMRW142 ай бұрын

    Interesting documentary . By the way that veg looks amazing.

  • @AbdulAli-ku9he
    @AbdulAli-ku9he23 күн бұрын

    12:16 ❤❤❤❤

  • @Teddy-vv9iz
    @Teddy-vv9iz2 ай бұрын

    Interesting video.

  • @tonyquek6157
    @tonyquek61572 ай бұрын

    RESPECT to the villagers of Taeseong for continuing to stay in a dangerous village. 🙇‍♂️

  • @TheFailedmessiah

    @TheFailedmessiah

    Ай бұрын

    They don't have to pay taxes. That alone is amazing.

  • @accordiongordon
    @accordiongordon2 ай бұрын

    Missing captions?

  • @rafars2246
    @rafars22463 күн бұрын

    There are quite a few villages at the border, not just this one.

  • @GoDawgz90
    @GoDawgz9014 күн бұрын

    Served there in 2015 its a surreal feeling when you're over there. I've been to Tae Song Dong several times with Mr. Kang. JSA Boy for life!

  • @diane9247
    @diane92472 ай бұрын

    Fascinating and a bit depressing at the same time.

  • @goldhawk151
    @goldhawk1512 ай бұрын

    I actually saw that village two weeks ago while touring the DMZ. They’re close enough to be able to hear North Korea

  • @BrianFrometa
    @BrianFrometa2 ай бұрын

    I feel so bad for the citizens there not just bc of the border but their sad stories 😢

  • @mbilly3013
    @mbilly30132 күн бұрын

    They hv separated and survived for so long.. is best to remain as it is..👍🏽

  • @georgewin7243
    @georgewin72432 күн бұрын

    grandma is so cute, despite the limitations and stress, she really makes time for her hair 😊

  • @sunright20475
    @sunright204752 ай бұрын

    To think those villagers are just few meters away from living as a Kim Jong Un's slaves. They are really blessed.

  • @menaoye

    @menaoye

    2 ай бұрын

    I mean! What a blessing in disguise! God saved them

  • @twinkle_yara

    @twinkle_yara

    18 күн бұрын

    Don’t make it seem to be that bad I’m sure they’re living their best life not like South Koreans who got the highest rate of suicideees and all that

  • @santbr
    @santbrКүн бұрын

    This is heartbreaking on all levels. I'm so grateful I live in a free country, so sad for these koreans. How devastating.

  • @Bak2BasiKs
    @Bak2BasiKsСағат бұрын

    The last gent with kids has so much accumulated stress

  • @pasang2256
    @pasang22566 күн бұрын

    BBC, you need to do better with the subtitles. They were missing in few parts of the video.

  • @sdaiwepm
    @sdaiwepm2 ай бұрын

    5:29 And lots of mines.

  • @vornamenachname1069
    @vornamenachname106922 күн бұрын

    I like the irony of it being named "demilitarized zone" while yet being one of the most militarized borders in the world...

  • @TheFailedmessiah
    @TheFailedmessiahАй бұрын

    3 positives about this border village. Free rent. No taxes to pay. Don't have to serve in military. That's awesome

  • @MacKaledy
    @MacKaledy2 ай бұрын

    "Abandoned village.. no one living there.." BUT there is literally someone cycling in the village at 5:44 lmao

  • @MacKaledy

    @MacKaledy

    2 ай бұрын

    whats also keeping a lot of the older and possibly younger koreans in the village is the fact that you do not need to pay taxes on income when living in that place

  • @anthony9535

    @anthony9535

    Ай бұрын

    💀 was looking for this comment

  • @schmidt32755
    @schmidt327554 күн бұрын

    CSC 2nd Bn 9th Inf, Camp Greeves, we had one hell of a Plt party in the summer of 1976 for the July 4th celebration!

  • @Ljclouie2782
    @Ljclouie27822 ай бұрын

    Im pretty sure this is reupload and not new video..

  • @christineb2666
    @christineb26662 ай бұрын

    First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out-because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me-and there was no one left to speak for me. -Martin Niemöller This quote is attributed to the prominent German pastor Martin Niemöller. It is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a poem. After World War II, Niemöller openly spoke about his own early complicity in Nazism and his eventual change of heart. His powerful words about guilt and responsibility still resonate today.

  • @iamReddington
    @iamReddington2 ай бұрын

    1:31 "What do you like about living here?" "We don't have to serve in the military." Can we take a minute to reflect on this answer from a child? Holy shit, that is sad.

  • @AvocadoTheBugCat

    @AvocadoTheBugCat

    Ай бұрын

    There’s not really any perks for a kid lol, not like he has to pay rent anyways as a child. It would totally suck living in a remote village vs seoul

  • @liamwilcox641
    @liamwilcox6412 ай бұрын

    Your woman making the acorn jelly is living her best life 😂

  • @gonzalesfrederic6213
    @gonzalesfrederic62132 ай бұрын

    Still, it is on the best side.

  • @nitzneymann3977
    @nitzneymann39772 ай бұрын

    Great documentary. Thank you for showing us what it's like in the Korean borders.

  • @ptmt82
    @ptmt822 ай бұрын

    9:37 good boy

  • @AnthonyPerez408
    @AnthonyPerez4082 ай бұрын

    I'd move there

  • @ziggyc3004
    @ziggyc30042 ай бұрын

    2:10 They live like kings compared to just over the border, what a tragedy.

  • @garritsen3783
    @garritsen37832 ай бұрын

    fascinating! never thought there's a village exist in the border thanks BBC

  • @pbenson56fran
    @pbenson56fran2 ай бұрын

    Wow, I never this about a village this close to North Korea. I just watched a video about how hard it is to leave North Korea from earlier years to now. Thank you for the film.