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Korean Armistice Agreement

The Korean Armistice Agreement ended the Korean War and was signed on July 27, 1953. UN Command representative U.S. General William Harrison Jr., Korean People’s Army (North Korea) representative General Nam II, and Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) representative Peng Teh-huai signed the armistice to enforce a cease-fire on the Korean peninsula. To this day, the armistice still stands and both North and South Korea are still technically in conflict. Notably, no South Korean representative was present at the signing of the armistice, as South Korean President Syngman Rhee refused the offer to attend.

The agreement established the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that extends 2,200 yards north and south of the 38th parallel that serves as the border between North and South Korea. The border is heavily guarded and few have escaped across it alive. South Korean officials claimed in 2011 that North Koreans had breached the terms of the armistice precisely 221 times. Little progress has been made towards officially ending the Korean War and doing away with the armistice; however, on April 27, 2018, Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in, representing North and South Korea respectively, crossed the DMV to meet and agreed to work in the future towards peace talks.

For the complete text of the agreement, visit: https://2001-2009.state.gov/t/ac/rls/or/2004/31006.htm