Comments on: DMZ

By: Paul H.

Paul H. — Sun, 20 May 2007 20:28:53 +0000

The irony would be even more enhanced if (during a possible future Clinton administration) it was renamed the “Bill Clinton Memorial Bridge to the Future”.

The Big He himself could come for the dedication — accompanied by the huzzas of thousands of massed ROK citizens, with a consequent enormous increase in “kibun” for all concerned. A thought to be savored! for those who constantly fret about “how the world hates America”.

Of course, this is only one of many possible futures, as Reese explained to Sarah Connor when she quizzed him skeptically. Like him, I’m not a tech guy.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Sun, 20 May 2007 18:55:43 +0000

Robert, thanks for this and your many many other great posts with photos and historical notes. It is a great service which is much appreciated by people like me (who lurk but unfortunately fail to express gratitude frequently enough). Anyway, great stuff and thanks a million.

By: Robert Koehler

Robert Koehler — Fri, 18 May 2007 04:47:58 +0000

Well, in due fairness, the documentary evidence — the journal of a Captain James N. Patterson of the 79th Engineer Construction Battalion — was discovered (at least on the Korean side) only last year by a web designer residing in the town (although judging from the now non-existent link on this page, it seems the unit in question knew they built it). The info board on the bridge — and here’s a photo of it — intentionally avoids saying which theory is correct. I have to think the photos of the bridge construction on the info board were taken from the 79th Engineer Construction Battalion’s records.

Here’s an interesting piece of info from the Korean War Educator:

Cicur Memorial Arch Bridge
(Concrete Arch Bridge)

In April 1952, the 79th Engineer Construction Battalion was given the mission of completing the bridge across the Han-Tan River. This required the construction of a 50-meter arch ring, columns and deck slab. In May, 1952 the 79th was relieved of this mission by the 62d Engineer Construction Battalion. The forming for and placing of concrete in an arch ring of this size presented engineering problems not normally encountered by Army troops in the field. The magnitude of the project is best shown by materials which were consumed: approximately 18,000 bags of cement and 34,000 linear feet of reinforcing steel were used in one 50 meter span. The completed bridge provides a high level structure, 138.5 meters long, 6.8 meters wide and 18.20 meters high, capable of carrying 2-way Army loads.

By: SomeguyinKorea

SomeguyinKorea — Fri, 18 May 2007 04:08:13 +0000

I find the difference between the commonly held belief of how the bridge was built and the truth about it quite ironic.

By: Sonagi

Sonagi — Thu, 17 May 2007 10:12:44 +0000

“The JSA in Panmunjeom. You can see the KPA guard observing in the background. Gotta love the shades on the South Korean MPs — really intimidating.”

I find dark shades on a tall, broad-shouldered man in uniform standing legs akimbo quite sexy.