US Congress Introduces 'Korean Peninsula Peace Act' Urging End-of-War Declaration... First Concrete Bill

Democratic Party Lawmaker's 'Korean Peninsula Peace Bill'
Calls for Establishment of North Korea-US Liaison Office
Republican Party's Hardline North Korea Stance Faces Passage Difficulties

▲Representative Brad Sherman [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] One day before the South Korea-U.S. summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and President Moon Jae-in, a bill urging the end of the Korean War, the signing of a peace agreement, and the establishment of a North Korea-U.S. liaison office was introduced in the U.S. Congress. While the U.S. Congress has previously pushed resolutions to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance or promote a declaration to end the war, this is the first time such measures have been submitted in the form of a concrete bill.

On the 20th (local time), Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee introduced the "Korean Peninsula Peace Act," which contains these provisions. The bill's sponsors include Sherman, as well as fellow Democrats Ro Khanna, Grace Meng, and Korean-American Congressman Andy Kim.

The core of the bill calls for a declaration to end the Korean War, the signing of a peace agreement, the establishment of a North Korea-U.S. liaison office, and a review of the U.S. travel ban on Americans visiting North Korea.

The bill states, "The leaders of South and North Korea agreed at the Panmunjom Summit on April 27, 2018, to replace the armistice agreement with a peace agreement and to actively promote U.S.-involved talks to establish a permanent and solid peace regime." It further specifies, "In light of this, the U.S. Secretary of State should seek a binding peace agreement, including an official and final end to the war among South Korea, North Korea, and the United States, while pursuing serious and urgent diplomatic engagement with both Koreas."

To this end, the bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment, outlining a clear roadmap for achieving a permanent peace agreement on the Korean Peninsula.

The bill also calls on the U.S. Secretary of State to begin negotiations for the establishment of a North Korea-U.S. liaison office, considering the joint statement from the 2018 North Korea-U.S. Singapore Summit.

It also mandates a review of the travel ban on Americans visiting North Korea.

However, significant obstacles are expected before the bill can be introduced and passed.

If passed by Congress, the bill would be binding and require the administration to implement it as policy, but hawkish views on North Korea remain strong, especially among Republicans.

Meanwhile, during the Trump administration in February 2019, a resolution to declare an end to the war was introduced in the House with 52 signatures but was discarded without being formally adopted as an agenda item.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.