Starbucks Opens Cafe with a View of North Korea

Starbucks has opened a unique cafe in South Korea, offering coffee lovers the chance to enjoy their brews while gazing across the border into North Korea. Located in the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo city, the cafe sits on an observation tower, just 20 miles north of Seoul, and offers a view of the Hermit Kingdom across the Jo River, which separates the two nations.

The 30-seat Starbucks opened its doors on Friday, November 29, drawing crowds eager to witness the rare sight of North Korea from afar. On clear days, patrons can spot farms and low-rise buildings in Kaepung county, one of North Korea’s border regions. Some visitors with binoculars or high-powered cameras even reported glimpsing people walking in the distance.

“I wish I could share this tasty coffee with the people living in North Korea right in front of us,” said local resident Baek Hea-soon, 48, reflecting on the symbolic nature of the location.

A Unique Location with Historical Significance

The cafe’s position at the Aegibong Peace Ecopark is steeped in history. Situated near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which remains one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world, the area once hosted Hill 154, a site of fierce fighting during the Korean War. Today, the park serves as a point of interest for tourists seeking a rare glimpse into North Korea.

Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-soo praised the location as an embodiment of the “charm of Korean culture,” while local authorities aim to leverage the site’s historical importance to increase tourism. The Starbucks outlet is one of the few ways for South Koreans and international visitors to get a look at North Korea, albeit from a distance, without entering the isolated country.

Visitors’ Reactions and International Context

On opening day, some patrons, like 80-year-old Lim Jong-chul, noted the contrast between the tense security of the region and the sense of peace offered by the cafe’s serene setting. Lim, a Vietnam War veteran, expressed that the cafe gave a feeling of reassurance despite the political tensions that persist.

The cafe’s debut comes at a time of heightened tension between North and South Korea. Despite an armistice ending the Korean War in 1953, the two countries technically remain at war, with no formal peace treaty signed. Recent remarks from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, including threats to use nuclear weapons against South Korea, have further strained relations.

A Shift in North Korea’s Tourism Policy

While North Korea is currently closed to tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tour companies suggest that the country may begin to reopen limited international tourism by the end of 2024. In the meantime, the Starbucks at the DMZ offers a new way for visitors to engage with the geopolitical landscape and the ongoing divide between the two Koreas.

The cafe provides an alternative to the typical DMZ tours that attract thousands of visitors annually, offering a unique blend of coffee culture and a front-row seat to one of the world’s most politically charged borders.