The Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch is hosting an excursion to Cheorwon, a county in Gangwon Province, on Feb. 14.

The excursion, hosted by Robert Koehler, will offer an opportunity to explore the “new” Cheorwon, a city that was reconstructed kilometers away from the original, following its destruction during the Korean War.

Commencing at 9 a.m. from Yongsan Post Office, the excursion will also take participants along the Civilian Control Zone -- a limited-access area just south of the DMZ -- and explore what is left of the original Cheorwon.

Along the Civilian Control Zone are the ruins of buildings including the Workers’ Party of Korea’s former headquarters as well as Seungil-gyo, a bridge whose construction is still the subject of historical debate.

Other stops include the Cheorwon Peace Observatory, the White Horse Hill Memorial and a stop by the Demilitarized Zone to see Korea’s migratory birds in Cheorwon’s spring ponds.

Reservations for the excursion can be made at www.raskb.com until Feb. 10.

(zoesamios@heraldcorp.com)