DMZ Peace Train Music Festival

The DMZ Peace Train Music Festival is an annual music event held in Cheorwon County, South Korea, near the border with North Korea. Founded in 2018, it brings together artists from Korea and around the world to promote peace and unity in a place marked by division, with concerts and events each June.

• Held near the DMZ in Cheorwon County, South Korea
• Features rock, indie, punk, electronic, and world music
• Special performances at historic sites like Woljeong-ri station
• Peace Camp offers festival camping since 2023
• International and Korean artists perform each year

What it is

The DMZ Peace Train Music Festival is a gathering of musicians and music lovers at the edge of the Korean Demilitarized Zone, in Cheorwon County. The festival was created to use music as a bridge for peace and dialogue, set in a landscape that has long symbolized separation. Each year, the event draws local and international artists, as well as visitors who come not only for the performances but also for the message of hope and reconciliation. The atmosphere is open and welcoming, with the border’s history providing a powerful backdrop to the celebration.

Where it comes from

The festival began in 2018, inspired by a visit from Martin Elbourne, a key figure behind Glastonbury and The Great Escape festivals. After touring the DMZ with Korean festival organizers, Elbourne encouraged local leaders to support a music event that would highlight the possibility of peace. The first edition coincided with a period of warming relations between North and South Korea. Since then, the festival has grown, with support from Seoul City, Cheorwon County, and Gangwon Province, and has featured both Korean and international musicians.

How it is celebrated

Over several days in June, the festival fills Cheorwon’s Goseokjeong Pavilion and other sites near the DMZ with live music. The lineup spans rock, indie, punk, electronic, folk, and world music, with both Korean and international acts. Some performances are held at unique locations, such as the ruins of the Workers' Party of Korea headquarters and Woljeong-ri station, bringing music to places rarely open to the public. Talks and seminars are also part of the program, and recent years have included a camping site called Peace Camp and a midnight rave stage. Festivalgoers can expect a relaxed, communal atmosphere, with opportunities to explore the local area and support nearby businesses.

Joining in

Visitors can join the festival in Cheorwon, about two hours from Seoul by train or car. The main events take place at Goseokjeong Pavilion, with some special performances at historic sites near the DMZ. Tickets are required, and attendees often receive vouchers to spend at local businesses. Expect a friendly crowd, diverse music, and a chance to reflect on the meaning of peace in a unique setting close to the border.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article DMZ Peace Train Music Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• DMZ Peace Train Music Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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