The chain opened the doors to its new location in Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, on Friday, Nov. 29
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Visitors are pictured at the new Starbucks store in Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, on Nov. 29, 2024
Starbucks has tens of thousands of coffee shops around the world, but their latest might be in one of the most unique locations yet.
On Friday, Nov. 29, the chain opened the doors to its new location in Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, where coffee lovers can look out at views of North Korea’s Songaksan mountain and a nearby village in Kaephung county, per the Associated Press.
The store is close to the demilitarized zone (DMZ), which separates the two war-divided Koreas and is about 31 miles northwest of Seoul, Reuters reported. A three-year conflict between South and North Korea ended in a 1953 armistice, but a peace treaty was never signed.
The AP added that customers visiting the Starbucks have to “pass a military checkpoint before entering the observatory,” where the coffee shop is located.
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Visitors are pictured at the new Starbucks store in Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea on Nov. 29, 2024
The news agency stated that the Starbucks opening is part of Gimpo’s plan to turn the border facilities into more of a tourist destination.
The store symbolizes “robust security on the Korean Peninsula through the presence of this iconic capitalist brand,” the AP added.
Aegibong Peace Ecopark mentions plans to become more of a tourist destination on its website, which explains hopes for the area to “grow into an international landmark symbolizing world peace by combining peace, ecology and tourism.”
“Located in the only South-North Free-zone in Korea, [Aegibong] Peace Ecopark is a symbolic place representing peace and harmony and also connecting the will of peace at the mouth of Hangang River along with the Jogang River flowing to connect the disconnected history and culture,” a message on the site adds.
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Cups are pictured at the new Starbucks store at the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea
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Another description states, “It was originally Hill 154, where the two Koreas fought fiercely during the Korean War. With the symbolism of the world’s only divided area, it is located at the mouth of the Hangang River, which has endless ecological nature around the border area.”
Mayor of Gimpo, Kim Byung-soo, told NBC News: “People used to think of this area near the North Korean border as a dark and gloomy place.”
“But now … this place could now become an important tourist destination for security [and] peace that can be seen as young, bright and warm,” the mayor added, per the outlet.
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Vietnam War veteran Lim Jong-chul, 80, told the publication of the new Starbucks opening, “Having a cup of coffee here, I feel like I can look at North Korea, a nation divided from us, with a bit more calm and peace of mind.”
“Before, the concept of security felt rigid and tense, but now, with this cafe here, it feels more peaceful and reassuring,” he added.
PEOPLE has contacted Starbucks for additional information on the new location.
