Up on a hill overlooking one of the most heavily guarded borders in the world, the pagoda at the Dora Observatory offers a rare and symbolic view into North Korea. From here, you can see the North Korean village of Kijŏng-dong and the distant city of Kaesong through binoculars, standing at the threshold between two nations still technically at war. The pagoda itself serves as a quiet spot for reflection amid the tension of the Demilitarized Zone, a reminder of both division and hope for reunification. An interesting fact is that Dora Observatory is one of the few places where you can look directly into North Korea without crossing the border, making it a powerful stop on any DMZ tour. And now, among its beams and tranquil surroundings, a small penguin stone rests within the pagoda, carrying a little piece of peace and playfulness between the two Koreas.

Last known location – 37.9110013N, 126.7064619E

To become part of the penguin huddle and receive your own penguin stones to hide, fill out the contact form below or email me at [email protected] with the subject “Penguin Stone Project.“ Note: By submitting your information, you’re giving us permission to use your email.

To see the location of the other penguin stones below.