Visitors are pictured at the new Starbucks store in Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, on Nov. 29, 2024.Photo:SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty

Visitors look out from an observation deck at a Starbucks Coffee Korea Co. store, with views of North Korea’s Gaepung County, at the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. The 30-seater cafe opened Friday, offering its customers in the south a peek into the world’s most reclusive country while sipping a favorite brew.

SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty

Starbucks has tens of thousands of coffee shops around the world, but their latest might be in one of the most unique locations yet.

The store is close to the demilitarized zone (DMZ), which separates the two war-divided Koreas and is about 31 miles northwest of Seoul,Reutersreported. 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.

Visitors are pictured at the new Starbucks store in Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea on Nov. 29, 2024.SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty

Customers line up outside a Starbucks Coffee Korea Co. store, which has views of North Korea’s Gaepung County, at the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. The 30-seater cafe opened Friday, offering its customers in the south a peek into the worlds most reclusive country while sipping a favorite brew

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.

“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.

Cups are pictured at the new Starbucks store at the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea.SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty

Cups of coffee on a handrail at an observation deck of the Starbucks Coffee Korea Co. store, with views of North Korea’s Gaepung County, at the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. The 30-seater cafe opened Friday, offering its customers in the south a peek into the worlds most reclusive country while sipping a favorite brew.

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, toldNBC 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.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

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.

source: people.com