The Korean Peninsula recently commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Korean War. Despite sharing a common history interwoven with intricate kinship, North and South Korea observed the occasion with solemnity and marked their distinct paths since their division.
The Historical Roots of The Korean Conflict
The genesis of the conflict between North and South Korea lies in the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Following Japan’s defeat in the Second World War, the Allied forces proposed a “four-power trusteeship over Korea” during the Yalta Conference in 1945. However, the scheme was sabotaged when the USSR imposed control over the northern part of Korea while the southern part of the country fell under the authority of the remaining allies headed mainly by the USA. The division was marked along the 38th parallel north, which continues to serve as the official border between the two Koreas.
By 1948, two distinct nations had taken shape; the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). While there were attempts to resolve the dispute and reunify the Korean peninsula, the advent of the Cold War eliminated any prospects of reunification. What ensued was a territorial and ideological battle between North and South Korea, popularly known as the Korean Conflict.
The Outbreak of The Korean War
On June 25, 1950, North Korea, supported by the USSR, launched an attack on South Korea and took control of most of the nation. In reaction, a United Nations force headed by the US countered the attack. By 1951, US forces under Douglas MacArthur had crossed the 38th parallel, prompting China to support North Korea. To prevent further escalation, peace talks were initiated towards the end of 1951.
The Korean Armistice Agreement
By July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed between the United Nations Command, the Korean People’s Army, and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. The agreement brought about an official ceasefire but fell short of a Peace treaty, thereby implying that the war never officially ended. The notable outcomes of the agreement included the exchange of Prisoners of War (PoWs) and the establishment of the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), which currently serves as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea. Noteworthy is that the South Korean government did not sign the armistice since it was unwilling to acknowledge it.
However, in December 1991, North and South Korea signed a pact promising to abstain from aggression.
The Current Dynamics
In recent times, North Korea has amplified its nuclear programme by expanding its nuclear arsenal, withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and conducting several tests of nuclear explosives. In response, the USA has deployed the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea to counterbalance the increasing missile adventurism from North Korea. Recent tensions escalated when North Korea demolished the Inter-Korean Liaison Office in Kaesong, which was set up in 2018. Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, the building operated as a de facto embassy and facilitated direct communication between the two nations.
This unending saga of political tension and aggressive posturing between the two Koreas continues to loom over the Korean Peninsula, perpetuating uncertainty and discord in the region.
