Gimpo Aegibong Park sees surge in visitors amid North Korean artillery deployment

Over 13,000 visitors flocked to the Aegibong Peace Eco Park in Gimpo, South Korea, over a ten-day period following the sighting of North Korean self-propelled guns. The artillery, estimated to be 122mm, was observed positioned toward the south in Gaepung County, North Hwanghae Province, approximately 1.5km from the park's observation deck.

Due to the influx of tourists and security concerns raised by the Marine Corps 2nd Division, Gimpo authorities have implemented visitor restrictions. The park currently limits real-time occupancy to 500 people, and reservation capacities have been reduced to 200 people per hour to manage crowds and ensure safety.

Local residents have expressed distress over the situation, stating that while tourists view the military hardware as a spectacle, the proximity of the weapons poses a direct threat to their survival. Officials from Gimpo City noted that while the park aims to promote peace and awareness of division, they hope visitors will also empathize with the hardships faced by those living near the border.