Magnum Photos member Thomas Dworzak visits Korea’s demilitarized zone. Having photographed the pains and sufferings of war in Georgia, Chechen and other parts of the world, Thomas Dworzak must have some special thoughts on seeing the reality of Korea’s six-decade-long division at the DMZ.
Korean men are mandated to serve 21 months in the military. Thomas Dworzak goes to a boot camp for young military recruits to capture their anticipations and concerns as they begin new lives as soldiers. Then the young photographer witnesses the daily routines of the frontline unit in charge of guarding the fences along the demilitarized zone, and records how a country’s division affects the lives of the young soldiers stationed at the Joint Security Area.
Thomas Dworzak then meets with the victims of land minds and people praying for peace at a peace park near Imjingak and the War Memorial of Korea. Having experienced both the pre- and post-unification Germany, the German-born photographer presents inspirational takes on Korea’s division as represented by the demilitarized zone.