Diplomatic Struggle Among Countries Around the Korean Peninsula Continues Over New Year's Ceasefire Declaration

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Diplomatic efforts among related countries including South Korea, the United States, North Korea, and China are expected to continue over the declaration of the end of the war in the new year.

Although our government stated that the draft declaration of the end of the war between South Korea and the United States has been "virtually agreed upon," other governments still maintain that continuous efforts are necessary.

According to diplomatic sources on the 2nd, the U.S. Department of State reiterated its existing position that it is committed to dialogue with North Korea, in response to Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong's announcement on the 29th of last month (local time) that South Korea and the U.S. had virtually agreed on the draft declaration to end the Korean War.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Minister Chung said at a press briefing on the 29th (Korean time) regarding the declaration of the end of the war, "South Korea and the U.S. already share the importance of this, and the draft has been virtually agreed upon."

The State Department spokesperson, in response to Minister Chung's remarks, said, "The United States remains committed to achieving lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy with North Korea." They avoided giving a direct answer about the agreement on the draft declaration.

However, the spokesperson added, "We will continue to seek engagement with North Korea as part of a coordinated and pragmatic approach to achieve tangible progress in strengthening the security of the United States, its allies, and deployed forces."

While not confirming Minister Chung's statement that South Korea and the U.S. agreed on the draft declaration, the Biden administration reiterated its stance of maintaining the dialogue policy toward North Korea.

U.S. media have also paid attention to Minister Chung's remarks. CNN highlighted the possibility of a declaration of the end of the war on the 30th of last month (local time).

CNN published an article titled "The Korean War is not over, but it might soon be."

Regarding the possibility of the declaration, CNN pointed out that "it is not very likely now," emphasizing that any agreement between South Korean and U.S. diplomats still requires approval within each government, and the consent of North Korea and China.

However, CNN noted "there is room for optimism," citing Minister Chung's comment that "North Korea has responded quickly and actively to our efforts to promote the declaration of the end of the war," and the statement by Kim Yo-jong, sister of Chairman Kim Jong-un and vice department director of the North Korean Workers' Party, last September calling it "an interesting proposal and a good idea."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, North Korea, the party concerned, remains silent on the declaration of the end of the war. Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, did not mention the declaration of the end of the war for the new year nor the Beijing Winter Olympics.

According to North Korean media such as the Rodong Sinmun, in his speech at the 4th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee held at the end of last year, General Secretary Kim said, "Emergency epidemic prevention work must be placed as the top priority national task and carried out strongly without any minor flaws, gaps, or weaknesses."

Mentions of the declaration of the end of the war, which was expected to be an opportunity for improving inter-Korean relations and North Korea-U.S. dialogue for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, as well as the February Beijing Winter Olympics, were not included in the report on the results of this plenary meeting.

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