Panmunjom in Demilitarized Zone, Gyeonggi-do, North Korea — Asia (Eastern Asia)
Axe Murder Incident Memorial
Photographed by Craig Swain
1. Axe Murder Incident Memorial
{On alternating lines is the translation in Hangul (Korean}.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Cold • War, Korean. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.
Location. 37° 57.36′ N, 126° 40.355′ E. Marker is in Panmunjom, Gyeonggi-do, in Demilitarized Zone. It is on Ireum Eobsneun Doro. Technically this memorial is located between North and South Korea within the Joint Security Area, jointly administered by both Korean governments, within the Demilitarized Zone. Location is accessed only by escort of military personnel. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Asia, specifically in East Asia, and on the Pacific Rim.
More about this marker. The memorial is located near the "Bridge of No Return."
Also see . . .
1. Axe Murder Incident.
this page online
2. Memorial Service. Video of a recent memorial service held at the site. (Submitted on September 11, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain
2. Bridge of No Return and Memorial
The bridge is known as "The Bridge of No Return" since crossing it indicates a defection to one side or the other of the two Koreas. The location of the poplar tree, and that of the memorial is just visible at the "Y" of the road junction, in front of the guard house. The memorial is on a concrete slab to the right side of the road running toward the bridge.
Photographed by Craig Swain
3. Pan-Mun Gak
The main North Korean building within the DMZ.
From Wikipedia Commons
4. Joint Security Area Map, 1976
Map showing the location of the tree, the bridge, and related buildings in the JSA as they stood at the time of the incident.
Photographed by Dodson M. Curry
5. 38th Parallel Sign
Located in another section of Korea, but a reminder of the division that still exists today. This sign was in Kumsong, Korea. Kumhwa Valley Demarcation Line between North and South Korea.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 7,395 times since then and 168 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week October 10, 2010. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 11, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on May 13, 2010, by Dodson M. Curry of Birmingham, Alabama.
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