SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Coffee drinkers can sip their beverages and view a quiet North Korean mountain village from a new Starbucks at a South Korean border observatory.
Customers have to pass a military checkpoint before entering the observatory at Aegibong Peace Ecopark, which is less than a mile from North Korean territory and overlooks North Korea’s Songaksan mountain and a nearby village in Kaephung county.
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North Korea's Kaephung county is seen from the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Visitors wait to enter at newly opened Starbucks store at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A visitor holds a national flag at newly opened Starbucks store at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
North Korea's Kaephung county is reflected on the newly opened Starbucks store's window at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
North Korea's Kaephung county is reflected on the newly opened Starbucks store's window at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Visitors sit at newly opened Starbucks store as North Korea's Kaephung county is seen on background at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Two North Korean soldiers sit near a North Korean military guard post, seen from Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A North Korean soldier stands at a North Korean military guard post, seen from Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A visitor watched North Korean side at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
North Korea's Kaephung county is reflected on the newly opened Starbucks store's window at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Visitors sit at a newly opened Starbucks store as North Korea's Kaephung county is seen in the background at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
The tables and windows face North Korea at the Starbucks, where about 40 people, a few of them foreigners, came to the opening Friday.
The South Korean city of Gimpo said hosting Starbucks was part of efforts to develop its border facilities as a tourist destination and said the shop symbolizes “robust security on the Korean Peninsula through the presence of this iconic capitalist brand.”
The observatory is the key facility at Aegibong park, which was built on a hill that was a fierce battle site during the 1950-53 Korean War. The park also has gardens, exhibition and conference halls and a war memorial dedicated to fallen marines.
Gimpo and other South Korean border cities like Paju have been trying to develop their border sites as tourist assets, even as tensions grow between the war-divided Koreas.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been trying to raise pressure on South Korea and threatening to attack his rival with nuclear weapons if provoked. North Korea has also engaged in psychological and electronic warfare against South Korea, such as flying trash-laden balloons into the South and disrupting GPS signals from border areas near the South’s biggest airport.
Kaephung county is believed to be one of the possible sites from where North Korea has launched the thousands of balloons over several months.
South Korea’s military said Friday that the North flew dozens more balloons overnight and that some trash and leaflets landed around the capital Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi province.
North Korea's Kaephung county is seen from the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Visitors wait to enter at newly opened Starbucks store at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A visitor holds a national flag at newly opened Starbucks store at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
North Korea's Kaephung county is reflected on the newly opened Starbucks store's window at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
North Korea's Kaephung county is reflected on the newly opened Starbucks store's window at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Visitors sit at newly opened Starbucks store as North Korea's Kaephung county is seen on background at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Two North Korean soldiers sit near a North Korean military guard post, seen from Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A North Korean soldier stands at a North Korean military guard post, seen from Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
A visitor watched North Korean side at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
North Korea's Kaephung county is reflected on the newly opened Starbucks store's window at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Visitors sit at a newly opened Starbucks store as North Korea's Kaephung county is seen in the background at the observatory of the Aegibong Peace Ecopark in Gimpo, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — Harry Brook posted his seventh test century and shared a 151-run fifth-wicket partnership with Ollie Pope on Friday which changed the course of the first test between England and New Zealand on its second day.
Brook was 132 not out, Ben Stokes 37 was and England was 319-5 at stumps, only 29 runs behind New Zealand whose first innings ended earlier in the day at 348.
The extent to which Brook and Pope altered the course of the match was evident in the fact England was 45-3 when Brook came to the crease after losing two wickets in three balls before lunch. It was 71-4 when Pope joined Brook and 222-5 when Pope was out for 77 in the final session.
The magnitude of Brook's innings was increased by the fact batting was never easy at any stage at Hagley Oval on Friday. It was tough when the ball was new, as it was when New Zealand resumed its innings at 310-8 with the second new ball only three overs old.
It was tough when Nathan Smith, on debut, dismissed Jacob Bethell (10) in his first and Joe Root in his 150th inside three balls in only his second over in test cricket.
Throughout the day, even as it aged, the ball continued to ping around and few batters looked settled. But Pope and particularly Brook batted with a boldness which overcame the authority of the bowlers.
Still, it was never easy. Brook was dropped four times — on 18 by Glenn Phillips in the gully, on 41 by Tom Latham at first slip, on 70 by Devon Conway in the deep and on 112 by Tom Blundell off Matt Henry.
Brook had no time for self-reproach. He shrugged off those nervous moments to reach his half century from 65 balls with the second six of his innings from the bowling of Will O'Rourke. Pope posted his 50 only two overs later from 58 balls and with seven fours.
The 100 partnership came from only 112 balls, the 150 partnership from 188 balls.
While New Zealand's catching had been poor, it was redeemed in the 53rd over by the brilliant catch Phillips took at gully to dismiss Pope.
Tim Southee tempted Pope with a ball wide of off stump and the batter went at it with full force. It flew wide of Phillips who dived full length and hung suspended above the ground as he clutched the ball in his right hand.
Pope was impressed with Phillips' effort to dismiss him.
“That was a great catch from Glenn, fair play to him, but another day that goes for four and you’re off and running to make a really big score," Pope said. "It’s funny how the game goes.”
Brook went on to his century from 123 balls with nine fours and two sixes. Stokes, who joined him on Pope's dismissal began in his shadow, taking only one run from the first 16 balls he faced.
Earlier, Phillips resumed at 41 not and put on 27 for the ninth wicket with Tim Southee and 23 for the last wicket with O'Rourke as New Zealand lifted its total from 319-8 overnight to 348. Phillips reached his fifth half century from 77 balls.
New Zealand then removed Zak Crawley (0) in the fourth over of the England innings, then Bethell and Root in quick succession. Smith had Bethell caught behind by Blundell while Root had faced only four balls when he chopped a shorter delivery back onto his stumps.
“We judge ourselves by the chances we create and we created enough out there. A couple of catches go to hand and it's a completely different story,” Smith said. "They got a couple of good partnerships there and we need to break it with the new ball tomorrow."
“It's just about trying to control the run-rate which is tough against these guys.” England scored throughout the day at more than four runs per over.
Ben Duckett batted well to reach 46 from 62 balls before playing a loose pull short which was caught by Conway at deep square.
England was 71-4 but had improved by team to 174-4 as it added 129 runs in the second session for the loss of only one wicket.
The partnership between Brook and Stokes was worth 97 runs by stumps.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
England's Harry Brook, right, shakes hands with teammate Ben Stokes as they leave the field at the close of play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook, centre, is congratulated by New Zealand's Kane Williamson, right, after scoring a century, as he leaves the field at the close of play with teammate Ben Stokes, left, on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook bats during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Ollie Pope reacts after he was dismissed by New Zealand's Tim Southee, right, during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook bats during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand bowler Nathan Smith, left, is congratulated by teammate Glenn Phillips after taking the wicket of England's Jacob Bethell during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
Glenn Phillips of New Zealand dives to make his ground as England wicketkeeper Ollie Pope takes the bails off during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Ollie Pope reacts after scoring 50 runs during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)
England's Ollie Pope bats during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
England's Harry Brook celebrates after scoring a century during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Matt Henry dives to field the ball as England's Ben Duckett watches during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Ben Duckett bats during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Jacob Bethell bats during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Matt Henry dives to field the ball during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (John Davidson/Photosport via AP)
Glenn Phillips of New Zealand dives as England's wicketkeeper Ollie Pope knocks off the bails during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Matt Henry appeals successfully for the wicket of England's Zak Crawley, left, out LBW for no score during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Chris Symes/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Matt Henry dives to field the ball during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
England's Ben Duckett bats during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)
New Zealand's Matt Henry celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Zak Crawley during play on the second day of the first cricket test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)