Starbucks has opened a new cafe near the Demilitarized Zone in South Korea, allowing customers to sip coffee while gazing across the border into North Korea. The cafe, located in an observatory near Gimpo, attracted hundreds of visitors on its opening day. Despite tensions between the two Koreas, the DMZ has become a popular tourist destination, with tourists able to see North Korean villagers through telescopes on clear days.
The opening of the Starbucks outlet is seen as a way to bring a more positive image to the border area, which has a history of conflict and tension. The mayor of Gimpo hopes that Starbucks’ global recognition will help change the perception of the area from “dark and depressing” to a place of peace and security.
Starbucks is well-established in South Korea, with nearly 2,000 stores across the country. In 2021, Starbucks Corp sold its stake in Starbucks Korea to SCK Company and the Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC. The presence of Starbucks near the DMZ is expected to attract more tourists and attention to the area, potentially turning it into an important tourist destination.
Despite the ongoing tensions between North and South Korea, the opening of the Starbucks cafe near the DMZ offers a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy a cup of coffee while glimpsing into the isolated and secretive North.
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