9 months into business, Starbucks at inter-Korean border still bustles

GIMPO, Gyeonggi Province — Nine months after opening just 1.4 kilometers across the Jogang River from Gaepung County in Gaeseong, North Korea, Starbucks Gimpo Aegibong Ecopark remains bustling with visitors. On Wednesday morning, nearly all of the cafe’s 20 tables were occupied. Outside, six binocular tower viewers drew visitors eager for a glimpse across the border, where signs of human activity in North Korea could be seen. A group of six Taiwanese adults murmured quietly as they gazed beyond the inter-Korean border from the observatory deck. “We heard about this spot and its proximity to North Korea. This is really interesting, being able to enjoy coffee so close to the country,” one of the foreign tourists said. Inside the cafe, another group of visitors sat in a row facing a window wall that looks out toward the unreachable land. A Korean female guide engaged in conversation with four Taiwanese women, speaking in English. “This must be the most exotic place in the world which sells Starbucks coffee,” a Taiwanese from the group said. The cafe welcomes people from various cWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times