To facilitate access to this unique location, the city of Gimpo has introduced a new public bus line, although visitors must first pass through a military checkpoint.

The area features attractions such as a cable car ride past a war-damaged bridge and a facility called 'DMZ live,' which provides entertainment and educational experiences.

Amid these tensions, North Korea has been reinforcing its defenses and intensifying weapons tests, coinciding with military exercises conducted by the US, South Korea, and Japan.

A new Starbucks cafe has opened in Gimpo, South Korea, strategically located near the heavily militarized border with North Korea, allowing customers to enjoy coffee while taking in views of the North.

Situated approximately 31 miles northwest of Seoul, this cafe is part of a broader initiative to enhance tourism in the region, which holds significant historical importance due to the Korean War.

This initiative aims to transform Cold War-era tensions into a tourism opportunity, promoting peace and visitation in a region marked by division.

Local residents have expressed a desire to share coffee with North Koreans, symbolizing a gesture of warmth amidst the ongoing division and highlighting the food shortages in the North.

Experts warn that North Korea's military threats could escalate into a conflict involving Western nations, particularly as tensions remain high.

Vietnam War veteran Lim Jong-chul noted that enjoying coffee in this setting provides a sense of calm regarding the division between North and South Korea.

The opening event of the Starbucks attracted around 40 attendees, including tourists, highlighting the growing interest in this unique site.

During a visit to the area, a loud bang caused alarm among tourists, but they were reassured by their guide that it was merely military exercises.

Tourists typically visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a four-kilometer-wide area established by the UN after the Korean War, which remains heavily fortified.