On December 1st, visitors at the Starbucks in Gimpo’s Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in Gyeonggi Province were spotted gazing towards North Korea. According to the news agency Newscape, CNN highlighted this new Starbucks outlet in an article published on November 29th, recommending it to coffee enthusiasts eager to catch a glimpse of life in the world’s most isolated country. This particular Starbucks, located only 1.4 kilometers away from North Korea’s Gaepung County, allows visitors to view North Korean villages and the famous Songaksan Mountain with the naked eye.
CNN’s article, titled “Starbucks Opens Cafe Overlooking North Korea,” explains that this newly opened location is situated at an observatory on the border with North Korea, allowing guests to enjoy drinks while gazing beyond the confluence of the Han and Imjin rivers, known as the Zogang, towards the secluded kingdom. CNN noted that on clear days, one can see farms and buildings in Gaepung County directly across the border, and with a good pair of binoculars or a wide-angle camera, even observe North Koreans going about their business. It mentioned that this is one of the few ways for South Korean citizens and foreign tourists to get a peek into North Korea without actually visiting.
A local resident, identified as Baek (48), who visited the Aegibong Starbucks, expressed a desire to share the delicious coffee with North Korean residents. Additionally, AP News detailed the number of visitors and the layout of this Starbucks, noting that around 40 customers visited, including foreigners, and that the tables and windows inside were arranged to face towards North Korea. They added that guests can enjoy their drinks while looking out over the tranquil North Korean mountain villages.
Media outlets also pointed out the prolonged state of war between the North and South due to the absence of a peace treaty following the Korean War (1950-1953). Reuters mentioned North Korea’s recent actions of sending defaced balloons into the South, citing this as evidence of rising tensions on the peninsula in recent years. Despite these tensions, the DMZ has unexpectedly become an area of interest for international and domestic tourists. Reuters added that visitors could sip lattes while peering into North Korea across the rigid border.
Aegibong, located in northern Gimpo, is a peak 154 meters above sea level, noted as a battlefield where South and North Korean forces clashed during the Korean War. The current park features a monument, an exhibition hall, and gardens commemorating the war dead.
The Starbucks at Aegibong, positioned on the second floor of the observatory, offers stunning views of North Korea’s Songaksan. The city of Gimpo has entered into a lease agreement with Starbucks Korea to operate the café until 2028. Plans are underway to collaborate on creating “goods” (planned merchandise) and signature drinks for the Aegibong location. Additionally, Gimpo plans to develop the area as a key tourist complex by building new cultural and art spaces and international conference facilities, as well as installing a monorail system. Mayor Kim Byung-soo expressed hopes that this scenic spot, offering unique vistas and beautiful sunsets, would become a landmark of shared warmth and a place reflecting on the pain of separated families, ultimately turning Aegibong into a global tourist attraction.