North and South Korea, the US and China have agreed in principle to declare a formal end to the Korean War, says the South’s President Moon Jae-In.
The Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, ended with an armistice and not a peace treaty. North and South Korea have technically been at war ever since – backed by China and the US respectively – and locked in a tense relationship. Mr Moon, who is currently visiting Australia, was speaking at a joint press conference in Canberra along with Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Mr Moon stated that talks have yet to begin because of North Korea’s demands. In September Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, signalled that her country could be open to talks but only if the US dropped what she called a “hostile policy” against them. North Korea consistently objects to the presence of US troops in South Korea; the joint military drills held every year between US and South Korea; as well as US-led sanctions against North Korea’s weaponss programme.
On Monday, Mr Moon stated that North Korea was continuing to make this demand as a pre-condition to discussions. He stated, “Because of that, we are not able to sit down for a discussion or negotiation on the declaration… we hope the talks will be initiated.” There is also a bigger problem for President Moon. South Korea did not sign the armistice. This end-of-war agreement is not his gift to give to history books. He can keep trying to bring all the parties to the table but getting them all to agree to the details would be diplomatic equivalent of climbing Everest.
