Newsmen were given a first-hand view of army life on the South Korean side of the demilitarized zone which divides South from North Korea on Wednesday (27 March). Visiting newsmen were first briefed by Major General Kim Yong Huu and then were shown soldiers on patrol and on exercise along a strip of the zone 40 miles (64 kilometres) north of Seoul.

Troops demonstrated various manoeuvres with their U.S.-built Patton M-47 tanks, including speed demonstrations and a first-aid exercise. On a slightly less military side, the newsmen were shown a pig farm run by the soldiers. According to the officers showing the newsmen around, the pig farm serves a dual purpose; to provide fresh food and also to train the soldiers for a career after their army service.

Relations between North and South Korea have become strained for the first time in several years following a recent attack on two Southern trawlers by North Korean gunboats.

The government-sponsored visit to the demilitarized zone was arranged during an escalating propaganda campaign being waged by both Koreas, and following the capture in South Korea of 47 alleged Northern spies.