the road at panmunjeom, which was known historically as "highway one" in the south, was originally the only access point between the two countries on the korean peninsula. passage is comparable to the strict movements that occurred at checkpoint charlie in berlin at the height of the cold war. both north and south korea's roads end in the joint security area; neither highway meets because there is a concrete line that divides the entire site. people given the permission to cross this border must do so on foot before continuing their journey by road.