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Starbucks opened a brand new cafeteria in South Koreathe place clients can sip their lattes and see a peaceable North Korean mountain village within the distance.
On Friday (November 28), the American chain opened its latest location at an observatory within the Aegibong Peace Ecopark, close to town of Gimpo – about 30 kilometers northwest of Seoul, South Korea, and fewer than one kilometer from North Korean territory.
Nonetheless, patrons should go by way of a army checkpoint earlier than coming into the observatory, which overlooks North KoreaSongaksan mountain, in response to The Related Press.
Officers within the South Korean metropolis of Gimpo defined that the Starbucks opening was a part of efforts to develop its border services as a vacationer vacation spot, saying the cafe symbolizes “sturdy safety on the Korean Peninsula by way of the presence of this iconic capitalist model.”
The observatory is likely one of the predominant points of interest at Aegibong park, which is constructed on a hill that was the location of fierce battles in the course of the Korean Struggle. THE website describes the park as a “symbolic place that represents peace and concord”.
Guests to Starbucks can’t solely glimpse North Korea, but in addition the Jogang River, which runs between the observatory and the northern border city of Kaepung.
“I want I might share this tasty espresso with the individuals of North Korea,” stated Baek Hea-soon, a 48-year-old resident of Gimpo, Reuters on the opening of Starbucks.
As of 2024, there are almost 2,000 Starbucks espresso outlets throughout South Korea, in response to SCK Firm, which operates Starbucks within the nation by way of a licensing settlement.
Gimpo and different South Korean border cities similar to Paju have tried to develop their border websites as vacationer property, at the same time as tensions between the war-torn Koreas rise.
North Korean chief Kim Jong Un has tried to extend stress on South Korea and threatened to assault his rival with nuclear weapons if provoked. North Korea has additionally engaged in psychological and digital warfare towards South Korea, similar to launching garbage-laden balloons into the South and disrupting GPS indicators from border areas close to the South’s largest airport.
Kaephung County is believed to be one of many attainable places from the place North Korea launched 1000’s of balloons over a number of months.
South Korea’s army stated Friday that the North flew dozens of balloons in a single day and that some trash and leaflets fell across the capital Seoul and neighboring Gyeonggi province.
Further AP reporting
