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경기문화재단

Yeoncheon_Yeoncheon Station Water Tower

Bullet marks witnessing the horrors of the Korean War

and Ivy stretching over a disconnected railway




Yeoncheon is located on the 38th parallel. Before the Korean War, the area administratively belonged to North Korea. In 1948, before the outbreak of the war, North Korea set up a depot to temporarily store maintained vehicles across the station to transport war supplies in the rear. Before June 25, 1950, Yeoncheon Station had already entered the war. During the negotiations for the armistice, the two sides continued to confront each other to occupy the 38th parallel. The decision was not easily made, and countless bullets hailed down on Yeoncheon Station. The Water Tower of Yeoncheon Station remains as a witness to this history.


The Water Tower was used to supply water to steam locomotives during the days when they were operated through the Gyeongwon Line. Now, the Gyeongwon Line passes through Yeoncheon Station and ends at Baengma Highland. However, when it was first opened in 1914, Wonsan Station was its last station. Currently, two water towers that bear clear bullet marks remain at Yeoncheon Station. The columnar towers are covered by ivy. In the eyes of those who do not know about the history, these 15-meter towers covered with ivy may give a romantic impression like castles in fairytales.


Every corner of Yeoncheon awakens us to the reality of the division. Trucks carrying young soldiers still pass along the fields of yellow rice fields, and the sound of cannonballs is still heard around Jaein Falls despite its eye-catching scenery. Neither the South nor the North has yet withdrawn their guns, which are still pointed at each other and once pierced these water towers.


The war is still ongoing, and there is a long way to peace. 



세부정보

  • Yeoncheon Station Water Tower

    ADDRESS/ 275-1, Yeoncheon-ro, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do

    TEL/ 031-839-2144

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