The Civilian Control Line (CCL) designates an additional buffer zone within 5 to 20 km from the Southern Limit Line of the DMZ to control civilian access and protect military facilities. Established in February 1954 by the 8th US Army commander, the CCL includes barbed wire fences and military guard posts. The zone allows military monitoring of civilian travel to tourist sites near the DMZ. Post-ceasefire, the zone initially had around 100 empty villages, but by 1983, it housed 39,725 residents in 81 villages. Tourist and media photos often depict the CCL fence rather than the actual DMZ fence, which is restricted and illegal to photograph. The CCL fence deters civilians from approaching the DMZ and serves as a final barrier against North Korean infiltrators.

Korean Demilitarized Zone - Civilian Control Line - Wikipedia