North and South Korea found guilty of violating armistice agreements
Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-II – International Relations
In News:
The UN Command, led by the United States, recently held both North and South Korea guilty of violating armistice agreements after a recent incident which involved gunfire along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between the two countries.
AboutThe Korean Armistice Agreement
The agreement brought about a complete cessation of hostilities of the Korean War.
It was signed on 27 July 1953 by the United Nations Command (UNC), Korean People’s Army (KPA of North Korea) and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA).
It was designed to ensure a complete termination of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved.
A final peace settlement has never been achieved.
It also established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the de facto new border between the two nations which put into force a cease-fire, and finalized the return of prisoners of war.
The DMZ runs close to the 38th parallel and has separated North and South Korea since the Agreement.
South Korea never signed the Agreement, due to its refusal to accept failure to unify Korea by force.
The UN Command oversees affairs pertaining to the DMZ, to ensure the terms of the armistice are being agreed upon by both North Korea and South Korea
