Starbucks opens branch in South Korea with view of North Korean village

New Starbucks has a direct view of quiet village in North Korea

A small Starbucks café recently opened in South Korea with a clear view into North Korea.

Located inside an observation tower in the border city of Gimpo, the spot is perfect for people who want an in-person view of the reclusive country.

View North Korea through binoculars

The newest branch of the American coffee chain is a 30-seater located in Aegibong Peace Ecopark, according to CNN.

Around 32 kilometres north of Seoul, the café’s observation deck offers a majestic view of the Jo River that divides the two Koreas, as well as the farmlands beyond it.

When the weather is clear, visitors are able to see low-rise buildings in a village on the opposite shore.

With a sufficiently powerful pair of binoculars, it may even be possible to see people going about their daily lives.

This allows tourists a unique and relatively safe glimpse into North Korea without having to enter the country itself.

As tensions remain high between the two Koreas, travellers may have to watch out for balloons filled with rubbish sent across the border by North Korea.

A tourist attraction for border towns

The Starbucks opened on Friday (29 Nov), according to the Associated Press.

Customers will have to pass a military checkpoint before entry.

The Korean border’s unique history and North Korea’s seclusion from the world have long been intriguing to travellers who wish to see more of the world.

In fact, the DMZ sees plenty of tourists visiting each year.

As a result, South Korean border towns like Gimpo use locations near the border as attractions for visitors who have an interest in North Korea.

City officials from Gimpo said having more international brands like Starbucks in their city helps to attract more tourists.

North Korea to open to visitors

Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, North Korea has shut its borders to all international travellers. But according to CNN, it seems that is about to change.

Two tour companies with ties to the reclusive state said the country plans to open its borders to limited tourism by the end of the year.

Also read: North Korea flies balloons with excrement into South Korea as ‘gifts of sincerity’

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Featured image adapted from New York Post.