The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST, Minister Yu In Chon), in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO, Acting CEO Seo Young Chung), has designated Paju City as the newest region for the 2025 Barrier-Free Tourism Connectivity Enhancement Project.

The Barrier-Free Tourism Connectivity Enhancement Project aims to create a seamlessly connected travel environment based on the needs of the tourism-vulnerable class, including people with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and families with young children, by linking fragmented barrier-free facilities and services across tourist attractions, transportation, accommodation, dining, shopping, and information. The project will be implemented in phases over three years. The first year will primarily focus on improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities by introducing special transportation, such as buses and minivans equipped with wheelchair lifts, as well as installing their designated boarding zones. The second year will enhance accessibility in private establishments by installing barrier-free restrooms and ramps in restaurants, cafes, and shopping centers nearby tour destinations and providing braille menus. The third year will support the development of travel packages that leverage these connected facilities while improving the overall convenience within the region, backed by comprehensive tourism services built on integrated information and human services.

Appealing Attractions include the DMZ Peace Tour, a Top Choice for 10 Million Visitors, and Imjingak

The ministry previously designated Gangneung City and Ulsan Metropolitan City as project sites in 2022 and 2024, respectively, following which both cities are currently being transformed to better support barrier-free tourism. Paju City, the project site designated for 2025, received high marks for its enhanced transportation network following the opening of Unjeong Central Station as part of  the metropolitan higher-speed commuter rail network GTX, its wealth of attractive tourism resources, including the Peace Tour and Imjingak, and the strong capacity of the local government and designated team to execute the project and ensure sustainability. Plus, the five barrier-free tourist sites of Paju City (Imjingak, Majang Lake, Gongneung Tour Site, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, and Dora Observatory) are expected to significantly enhance the project’s performance in strengthening connectivity in the region.

Paju City is particularly known for its rich cultural diversity and natural landscapes. The DMZ Peace Tour, allowing visitors to explore the Demilitarized Zone of Korea, surpassed 10 million cumulative visitors as of November 2024, offering a unique opportunity for both domestic and international visitors to experience and learn about the historical events and context of the Korean War. Tourists can also engage in various cultural and artistic events at Heyri Art Village, while comfortably enjoy the scenic beauty of Majang Lake and Gongneung Tour Site, which ensure easy accessibility to all visitors with barrier-free walkways. Paju City plans to establish a special barrier-free tourism district centered around Imjingak, the DMZ Peace Tour, and Heyri Art Village.

Opening of GTX-Unjeong Central Station to Ensure Wheelchair-Accessibility Across Paju by Introducing Special Transport Services

Moreover, Paju City will further enhance connectivity between key tour sites, starting from GTX-Unjeong Central Station and extending to the Unification Hill Special Tourism Zone, Imjingak, Dora Observatory, and the Third Infiltration Tunnel. Opened in October 2024, GTX-Unjeong Central Station provides a fast transit network across Seoul and southern Gyeonggi Province, which further improves accessibility to Paju’s attractive tour sites. As part of the Barrier-Free Tourism Connectivity Enhancement Project, special transportation services are to be introduced in between tour attractions, allowing wheelchair visitors to travel seamlessly from the station to the DMZ Peace Tour and more.

MCST plans to provide  up to KRW 4 billion in government funding over three years (2025-2027) to Paju City, while Gyeonggi Province and Paju City will provide an additional KRW 4 billion in matching local funds,  for a total investment of up to KRW 8 billion that will be used to create a tourism environment that ensures universal accessibility. Starting with expert consultations supported by KTO in March 2025, the project will initiate its first phase action on enhancing travel connectivity as the very foundation for inclusive, barrier-free tourism.

“The Barrier-Free Tourism Connectivity Enhancement Project not only ensures travel opportunities and protection of the rights of the socially vulnerable but can also strengthen the region’s overall tourism competitiveness,” said Director General Kim Jung Hoon of the Tourism Policy Bureau at MCST. “Through this project initiative, we will further elevate the value of Paju’s attractive tour resources, such as the DMZ Peace Tour, and provide active support to ensure that all travelers can enjoy a seamless, comfortable, and barrier-free tourism experience.”