A Starbucks Like No Other? Experience a Unique View of North Korea at Gimpo Aegibong Peace Eco Park
A Starbucks Like No Other? Experience a Unique View of North Korea at Gimpo Aegibong Peace Eco Park
Imagine sipping coffee in a place unlike anywhere else in the world. What if that coffee came with a direct view of North Korea, one of the most secluded nations on Earth? Such a Starbucks exists near Seoul, in Gimpo.
CNN, AP, Reuters, and other major international news outlets have highlighted this "North Korea view Starbucks," officially known as Starbucks Gimpo Aegibong Peace Eco Park. It's more than just a café; it offers a special experience that prompts reflection on Korea's unique reality and the yearning for peace.
Why Is This Place So Special? It's the Only Starbucks 1.4km from North Korea
This Starbucks location, in Wolgot-myeon, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, is the closest Starbucks in South Korea to North Korea. It sits just 1.4km from Kaepung County, Hwanghae Province, North Korea. From inside the store, you can clearly see the Jogang River (where the Han River and Imjin River meet) and parts of North Korea's Kaepung County. On clear days, you can even spot North Korea's Songak Mountain.
The fact that Starbucks, often called a "symbol of capitalism," opened its doors directly opposite "one of the world's most closed-off nations" has drawn significant international attention. A Swiss tourist who visited shared, "This is my first time in Korea, and I came here because I heard I could see North Korea. I even saw North Korean farmers through binoculars. It was a fascinating experience to see North Korea so close."
Thus, this isn't just a coffee shop. It's a place that symbolically represents the reality of divided Korea and holds a special meaning for those hoping for peace.
A Must-Visit Destination! More Than Just Coffee – It's an Experience
Since its opening on November 29, 2023, Starbucks Gimpo Aegibong Peace Eco Park has welcomed over 123,000 visitors in just seven months. Thanks to Starbucks' presence, total visitors to Aegibong Peace Eco Park surged to 129,000 between January and April this year, more than doubling last year's figures. Notably, foreign visitor numbers more than quadrupled, from an average of 1,300 to over 3,300 per month.
The location is also popular with families, offering an educational experience for children interested in learning about North Korea. Weekend visitors more than double weekday numbers, and food sales account for about 30% more than at typical Starbucks stores.
Your Guide to Visiting Starbucks Aegibong Peace Eco Park
If you plan to visit this unique Starbucks, there are a few important things to know. Aegibong Peace Eco Park is located north of the Civilian Control Line (CCL) and requires a security check for entry.
💡 How to Enter: You must purchase tickets in advance from the Aegibong Peace Eco Park website (
https://aegibong.or.kr/Eng/index 🚌 Shuttle Bus & Security Check: Upon arrival at the Aegibong parking lot, you can either take a shuttle bus or walk. Shuttle buses run every 10-20 minutes from 11:00 AM (from the parking lot) to 5:00 PM (from Jogang Observatory), with no extra charge. You must present your ticket received at the ticket office to military personnel when entering and exiting.
⏰ Starbucks Operating Hours: Due to the restricted entry times for Aegibong Peace Eco Park, the Starbucks store operates from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Please note these shorter hours when planning your visit.
🚌 Public Transport Access: Given its frontline location, public transport access is somewhat limited.
Weekends: Gimpo Bus 3-2 (via Unyang Station) was newly established in November 2024, and Gimpo Bus 7-2 (via Gurae Station) also changed its route to include Aegibong Peace Eco Park in March 2025. (Both lines operate on weekends only.)
Weekdays: Your options are to take Gimpo Bus 7, 101, or 102 to Aegibong Entrance Junction and walk 1.5km, or check the timetable at Haseong Bus Terminal and take Gimpo Bus 24.
Please note that the second floor of the building is a military restricted area and is not accessible to the public, reportedly used as an observation post for monitoring North Korean military activity. This detail adds to the location's unique character.
For an Unforgettable Experience
More than just a place to grab coffee, Starbucks Gimpo Aegibong Peace Eco Park offers a unique opportunity to connect with Korea's history and present, and to reflect on the meaning of peace. If you're looking for a distinctive experience during your visit to Seoul, this is a must-see.
Why not make unforgettable memories at the world's only "North Korea view Starbucks"?
