Government, "Expecting Positive Response from North Korea on End-of-War Declaration"... Can It Ease Tensions on the Korean Peninsula?

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] President Moon Jae-in, with about a month left in his term, is expecting a positive response from North Korea regarding the declaration of the end of the war.

Despite the international community's condemnation atmosphere due to North Korea's missile launch rush since the new year, expectations for the declaration of the end of the war have not been abandoned.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 21st, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong appeared on a broadcast and said regarding the declaration of the end of the war, "North Korea's response is key, and we expect them to respond positively to our proposal soon." Minister Chung conducted the interview via video call from Egypt, where he is accompanying President Moon on his tour of three Middle Eastern countries.

Minister Chung said, "North Korea already agreed at the 2018 inter-Korean summit on the first step to replace the armistice agreement with a peace agreement by declaring the end of the war," and added, "The Republic of Korea and the United States have also virtually agreed on the wording of the declaration of the end of the war."

He added, "Regarding how to proceed with consultations with North Korea on this matter, the Republic of Korea and the United States are continuing to consult closely."

However, contrary to the government's positive outlook on the declaration of the end of the war, the situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula is becoming tense. As North Korea and the United States continue a strong confrontation of 'provocation-sanctions,' the declaration of the end of the war, which is part of the Korean Peninsula peace process, is losing momentum.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Since the beginning of the year, North Korea has launched ballistic missiles four times, and on the 20th, hinted at reviewing the suspension of nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches, which had been halted since 2018.

In response, a joint statement condemning North Korea was issued by the United Nations Security Council led by the United States, and both the U.S. and Japan released statements urging denuclearization and condemning North Korea, showing that the international community is also responding strongly to North Korea's military provocations.

An expert in diplomatic circles said, "North Korea-U.S. relations have effectively returned to the state before the suspension of nuclear tests and ICBM tests, and North Korea is expected to resume new weapons development and nuclear tests," adding, "The Korean Peninsula peace process, which our government has been striving for, is also losing momentum."

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