The DMZ is a neutral zone between North and South Korea that is heavily militarized. It cuts the Korean Peninsula in half and is managed jointly by North and South Korea and U.S. forces. Inside the DMZ is Panmunjeom, where negotiations between the two Koreas have taken place since 1953. North Korea has dug several tunnels through the DMZ that South Korea believes were intended for military invasion, though North Korea claims they were for coal mining. South Korea manages peace with North Korea through both deterrence and diplomacy - deterrence to discourage attack and diplomacy to resolve issues cooperatively without conflict.