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Transcript of Armistice Agreement for the Restoration of the South

Korean State (1953)

July 27, 1953

Agreement between the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, on the one hand, and the

Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's

volunteers, on the other hand, concerning a military armistice in Korea.

Preamble

The undersigned, the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, on the one hand, and the Supreme

Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, on the

other hand, in the interest of stopping the Korean conflict, with its great toil of suffering and bloodshed on

both sides, and with the objective of establishing an armistice which will insure a complete cessation of

hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved, do

individually, collectively, and mutually agree to accept and to be bound and governed by the conditions and

terms of armistice set forth in the following articles and paragraphs, which said conditions and terms are

intended to be purely military in character and to pertain solely to the belligerents in Korea:

Article I

Military Demarcation Line and Demilitarized Zone

1. A military demarcation line shall be fixed and both sides shall withdraw two (2) kilometers from this line

so as to establish a demilitarized zone between the opposing forces. A demilitarized zone shall be

established as a buffer zone to prevent the occurrence of incidents which might lead to a resumption of

hostilities.

2. The military demarcation line is located as indicated on the attached map.

3. This demilitarized zone is defined by a northern and southern boundary as indicated on the attached

map.

4. The military demarcation line shall be plainly marked as directed by the Military Armistice Commission

hereinafter established. The Commanders of the opposing sides shall have suitable markers erected along

the boundary between the demilitarized zone and their respective areas. The Military Armistice

Commission shall supervise the erection of all markers placed along the military demarcation line and

along the boundaries of the demilitarized zone.

5. The waters of the Han River Estuary shall be open to civil shipping of both sides wherever one bank is

controlled by one side and the other bank is controlled by the other side. The Military Armistice

Commission shall prescribe rules for the shipping in that part of the Han River Estuary indicated on the

attached map. Civil shipping of each side shall have unrestricted access to the land under the military

control of that side.

6. Neither side shall execute any hostile act within, from, or against the demilitarized zone.

7. No person, military or civilian, shall be permitted to cross the military demarcation line unless specifically

authorized to do so by the Military Armistice Commission.

8. No, person military of civilian, in the demilitarized zone shall be permitted to enter the territory under the

military control of either side unless specifically authorized to do so by the Commander into whose territory

entry is sought.

9. No person, military or civilian, shall be permitted to enter the demilitarized zone except persons

concerned with the conduct of civil administration and relief and persons specifically authorized to enter by

the Military Armistice Commission.

10. Civil administration and relief in that part of the demilitarized zone which is south of the military of the

military demarcation line shall be the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command;
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and civil administration and relief in that part of the demilitarized zone which is north of the military

demarcation line shall be the joint responsibility of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army

and the Commander of the Chinese People's volunteers. The number of persons, military or civilian, from

each side who are permitted to enter the demilitarized zone for the conduct of civil administration and relief

shall be as determined by the respective Commanders, but in no case shall the total number authorized by

either side exceed one thousand (1,000) persons at any one time. The number of civil police and the arms

to be carried by them shall be a prescribed by the Military Armistice Commission. Other personnel shall not

carry arms unless specifically authorized to do so by the Military Armistice Commission.

11. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed to prevent the complete freedom of movement to,

from, and within the demilitarized zone by the Military Armistice Commission, its assistants, its Joint

Observer Teams with their assistants, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission hereinafter

established, its assistants, its Neutral Nations Inspection teams with their assistants, and of any other

persons, materials, and equipment specifically authorized to enter the demilitarized zone by the Military

Armistice Commission. Convenience of movement shall be permitted through the territory under the military

control of either side over any route necessary to move between points within the demilitarized zone where

such points are not connected by roads lying completely within the demilitarized zone.

Article II

Concrete Arrangements for Cease-Fire and Armistice

A. General

12. The Commanders of the opposing sides shall order and enforce a complete cessation of all hostilities in

Korea by all armed forces under their control, including all units and personnel of the ground, naval, and air

forces, effective twelve (12) hours after this armistice agreement is signed. (See paragraph 63 hereof for

effective date and hour of the remaining provisions of this armistice agreement.)/

13. In order to insure the stability of the military armistice so as to facilitate the attainment of a peaceful

settlement through the holding by both sides of a political conference of a higher level, the Commanders of

the opposing sides shall:

(a) Within seventy-two (72) hours after this armistice agreement becomes effective, withdraw all of their

military forces, supplies, and equipment from the demilitarized zone except as otherwise provided herein.

Al demolitions, minefields, wire entanglements, and other hazards to the safe movement of personnel of

the Military Armistice Commission or its Joint Observer Teams, known to exist within the demilitarized zone

after the withdrawal of military forces therefrom, together with lanes known to be free of all such hazards,

shall be reported to the MAC by the Commander of the side whose forces emplaced such hazards.

Subsequently, additional safe lanes shall be cleared; and eventually, within forty-five (45) days after the

termination of the seventy-two (72) hour period, all such hazards shall be removed from the demilitarized

zone as directed by the under the supervision of the MAC. At the termination of the seventy-two (72) hour

period, except for unarmed troops authorized forty-five (54) day period to complete salvage operations

under MAC and agreed to by the MAC and agreed to by the Commanders of the opposing sides, and

personnel authorized under paragraphs 10 and 11 hereof, no personnel of either side shall be permitted to

enter the demilitarized zone.

(b) Within ten (10) days after this armistice agreement becomes effective, withdraw all of their military

forces, supplies, and equipment from the rear and the coastal islands and waters of Korea of the other

side. If such military forces are not withdrawn within the stated time limit, and there is no mutually agreed

and valid reason for the delay, the other side shall have the right to take any action which it deems

necessary for the maintenance of security and order. The term "coastal islands", as used above, refers to

those islands, which, though occupied by one side at the time when this armistice agreement becomes

effective, were controlled by the other side on 24 June 1950; provided, however, that all the islands lying to

the north and west of the provincial boundary line between HWANGHAE-DO and KYONGGI-DO shall be

under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of

the Chinese People's volunteers, except the island groups of PAENGYONG-DO (37 58' N, 124 40' E),

TAECHONG-DO (37 50' N, 124 42' E), SOCHONG-DO (37 46' N, 124 46' E), YONPYONG-DO (37 38' N,

125 40' E), and U-DO (37 36'N, 125 58' E), which shall remain under the military control of the

Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command. All the island on the west coast of Korea lying south of the

above-mentioned boundary line shall remain under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief, United

Nations Command. (See Map 3).
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(c) Cease the introduction into Korea of Reinforcing military personnel; provided, however, that the rotation

of units and personnel, the arrival in Korea of personnel on a temporary duty basis, and the return to Korea

of personnel after short periods of leave or temporary duty outside of Korea shall be permitted within the

scope prescribed below: "Rotation" is defined as the replacement of units or personnel by other units or

personnel who re commencing a tour of duty in Korea. Rotation personnel shall be introduced into and

evacuated from Korea only through the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof. Rotation shall

be conducted on a man-for-man basis; provided, however, that no more than thirty-five thousand (35,000)

persons in the military service shall be admitted into Korea by either side in any calendar month under the

rotation policy. No military personnel of either side shall be introduced into Korea if the introduction of such

personnel will cause the aggregate of the military personnel of that side admitted into Korea since the

effective date of this Armistice Agreement to exceed the cumulative total of the military personnel of that

side who have departed from Korea since that date. Reports concerning arrivals in and departures from

Korea of military personnel shall be made daily to the Military Armistice Commission and the Neutral

Nations Supervisory Commission; such reports shall include places of arrival and departure and the

number of persons arriving at or departing from each such place. The Neutral Nations Supervisory

Commission, through its Neutral Nations Inspection Teams, shall conduct supervision and inspection of the

rotation of units and personnel authorized above, at the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof.

(d) Cease the introduction into Korea of reinforcing combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons, and

ammunition; provided however, that combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons, and ammunition which

are destroyed, damaged, worn out, or used up during the period of the armistice may be replaced on the

basis piece-for-piece of the same effectiveness and the same type. Such combat aircraft, armored

vehicles, weapons, and ammunition shall be introduced into Korea only through the ports of entry

enumerated in paragraph 43 hereof. In order to justify the requirements for combat aircraft, armored

vehicles, weapons, and ammunition to be introduced into Korea for replacement purposes, reports

concerning every incoming shipment of these items shall be made to the MAC and the NNSC; such reports

shall include statements regarding the disposition of the items being replaced. Items to be replace which

are removed from Korea shall be removed only through the ports of entry enumerated in paragraph 43

hereof. The NNSC, through its Neutral Nations Inspection Teams, shall conduct supervision and inspection

of the replacement of combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons, and ammunition authorized above, at

the ports of entry enumerated in paragraph 43 hereof.

(e) Insure that personnel of their respective commands who violate any of the provisions of this armistice

agreement are adequately punished.

(f) In those cases where places of burial are a matter of record and graves are actually found to exist,

permit graves registration personnel of the other side to enter, within a definite time limit after this armistice

agreement becomes effective, the territory of Korea under their military control, for the purpose of

proceeding to such graves to recover and evacuate the bodies of the deceased military personnel of that

side, including deceased prisoners of war. The specific procedures and the time limit for the performance of

the above task shall be determined by the Military Armistice Commission. The Commanders of the

opposing sides shall furnish to the other side all available information pertaining to the places of burial of

the deceased military personnel of the other side.

(g) Afford full protection and all possible assistance and cooperation to the Military Armistice Commission,

its Joint Observer Tams, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, and its Neutral Nations Inspection

Teams, in the carrying out of their functions and responsibilities hereinafter assigned; and accord to the

Neutral Nations Inspection Teams, full convenience of movement between the headquarters of the Neutral

Nations supervisory Commission and the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof over main lines

of communication agreed upon by both sides (see Map 4), and between the headquarters of the Neutral

Nations Supervisory commission and the places where violations of this Armistice Agreement have been

reported to have occurred. In order to prevent unnecessary delays, the use of alternate routes and means

of transportation will be permitted whenever the main lines of communication are closed or impassable.

(h) Provide such logistic support, including communications and transportation facilities, as may be

required by the military Armistice Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and their

Teams.

(i) Each construct, operate, and maintain a suitable airfield in their respective parts of the Demilitarized

Zone in the vicinity of the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission, for such uses as the

Commission may determine.

(j) Insure that all members and other personnel of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and of the
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Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission hereinafter established shall enjoy the freedom and facilities

necessary for the proper exercise of their functions, including privileges, treatment, and immunities

equivalent to those ordinarily enjoyed by accredited diplomatic personnel under international usage.

14. This Armistice Agreement shall apply to all opposing ground forces under the military control of either

side, which ground forces shall respect the Demilitarized Zone and the area of Korea under the military

control of the opposing side.

15. This Armistice Agreement shall apply t all opposing naval forces, which naval forces shall respect the

water contiguous to the Demilitarized Zone and to the land area of Korea under the military control of the

opposing side, and shall not engage in blockade of any kind of Korea.

16. This Armistice Agreement shall apply to all opposing air forces, which air forces shall respect the air

space over the Demilitarized Zone and over the area of Korea under the military control of the opposing

side, and over the waters contiguous to both.

17. Responsibility for compliance with and enforcement of the terms and provisions of this Armistice

Agreement is that of the signatories hereto and their successors in command. The Commanders of the

opposing sides shall establish within their respective commands all measures and procedures necessary to

insure complete compliance with all of the provisions hereof by all elements of their commands. They shall

actively co-operate with one another and with the Military Armistice Commission and the Neutral nations

supervisory Commission in requiring observance of both letter and the spirit of all of the provisions of this

Armistice Agreement.

18. The costs of the operations of the Military Armistice Commission and of the Neutral Nations supervisory

Commission and of their Teams shall be shared equally by the two opposing sides.

B. Military Armistice Commission

1. Composition

19. A Military Armistice Commission is hereby established.

20. The Military Armistice commission shall be composed of ten (10) senior officers, five (5) of whom shall

be appointed by the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and five (5) of whom shall be

appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the

Chinese People's Volunteers. Of the ten members, three (3) from each side shall be of general of flag rank.

The two (2) remaining members on each side may be major generals, brigadier generals, colonels, or their

equivalents.

21. Members of the Military Armistice Commission shall be permitted to use staff assistants as required.

22. The Military Armistice Commission shall able provided with the necessary administrative personnel to

establish a Secretariat charged with assisting the Commission by performing record-keeping, secretarial,

interpreting, and such other functions as the Commission may assign to it. Each side shall appoint to the

Secretariat a Secretary and an Assistant Secretary and such clerical and specialized personnel as required

by the Secretariat. Records shall be kept in English, Korean, and Chinese, all of which shall be equally

authentic.

23. (a) The Military Armistice Commission shall be initially provided with and assisted by ten (10) Joint

Observer Teams, which number may be reduced by agreement of the senior members of both sides on the

Military Armistice Commission.

(b) Each Joint Observer Team shall be composed of not less than four (4) nor mire than six (6) officers of

field grade, half of whom shall be appointed by the Commander-in- Chief, United Nations Command, and

half of whom shall be appointed by the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and half of whom

shall be appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander

of the Chinese People's Volunteers. Additional personnel such as drivers, clerks, and interpreters shall be

furnished by each side as required for the functioning of the Joint Observer Teams.

24. The general mission of the Military Armistice Commission shall be to supervise the implementation of

this Armistice Agreement and to settle through negotiations any violations of this Armistice Agreement.

25. The military Armistice Commission shall:

(a) Locate its headquarters in the vicinity of PANMUNJOM (37 57'29" n, 126 40'00" e). The Military
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Armistice Commission may re-locate its headquarters at another point within the Demilitarized Zone by

agreement of the senior members of both sides on the Commission.

(b) Operate as a joint organization without a chairman.

(c) Adopt such rules of procedure as it may, from time to time, deem necessary

(d) Supervise the carrying out of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement pertaining to the Demilitarized

Zone and to the Han River Estuary.

(e) Direct the operations of the Joint Observer Teams.

(f) Settle through negotiations any violations of this Armistice Agreement.

(g) Transmit immediately to the Commanders of the opposing sides all reports of investigations of violations

of this Armistice Agreement and all other reports and records of proceedings received from the Neutral

nations supervisory Commission.

(h) Give general supervision and direction to the activities of the Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of

War and the Committee for Assisting the Return of Displaced Civilians, hereinafter established.

(i) Act as intermediary in transmitting communications between the Commanders of the opposing sides;

provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to preclude the Commanders of both sides

from Communicating with each other by any other means which they may desire to employ.

(j) Provide credentials and distinctive insignia for its staff and its Joint Observer Teams, and a distinctive

marking for all vehicles, aircraft, and vessels, used in the performance of its mission.

26. The Mission of the Joint Observer Teams shall be to assist the Military Armistice Commission in

supervising the carrying out of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement pertaining to the Demilitarized

Zone and to the Han River Estuary.

27. The Military Armistice Commission, or the senior member of either side thereof, is authorized to

dispatch Joint Observer Teams to investigate violations of this Armistice Agreement reported to have

occurred in the Demilitarized Zone or in the Han River Estuary; provided, however, that not more than one

half of the Joint Observer Teams which have not been dispatched by the Military Armistice Commission

may be dispatched at any one time by the senior member of either side on the Commission.

28. The Military Armistice Commission, or the senior member of either side thereof, is authorized to request

the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission to conduct special observations and inspections at places

outside the Demilitarized Zone where violations of this Armistice Agreement have been reported to have

occurred. 29. When the Military Armistice Commission determines that a violation of this Armistice

Agreement has occurred, it shall immediately report such violation to the Commanders of the opposing

sides.

30. When the Military Armistice Commission determines that a violation of this Armistice Agreement has

been corrected to its satisfaction, it shall so report to the Commanders of the opposing sides.

3. General

31. The Military Armistice Commission shall meet daily. Recesses of not to exceed seven (7) days may be

agreed upon by the senior members of both sides; provided, that such recesses may be terminated on

twenty-four (24) hour notice by the senior member of either side.

32. Copies of the record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Military Armistice Commission shall be

forwarded to the Commanders of the opposing sides as soon as possible after each meeting.

33. The Joint Observer teams shall make periodic reports to the Military Armistice Commission as required

by the Commission and, in addition, shall make such special reports as may be deemed necessary by

them, or as may be required by the Commission.

34. The Military Armistice Commission shall maintain duplicate files of the reports and records of

proceedings required by this Armistice Agreement. The Commission is authorized to maintain duplicate

files of such other reports, records, etc., as may be necessary in the conduct of its business. Upon eventual

dissolution of the Commission, one set of the above files shall be turned over to each side.

35. The Military Armistice Commission may make recommendations to the Commanders of the opposing
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sides with respect to amendments or additions to this Armistice Agreement. Such recommended changes

should generally be those designed to insure a more effective armistice.

C. Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission

1. Compositions

36. A Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission is hereby established.

37. The Neutral Nations supervisory Commission shall be composed of four (4) senior officers, two (2) of

whom shall be appointed by neutral nations nominated by the Commander- in-Chief, United Nations

Command, namely, SWEDEN and SWITZERLAND, and two (2) of whom shall be appointed by neutral

nations nominated jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander

of the Chinese People's Volunteers, namely, POLAND and CZECHOSLOVAKIA. The term "neutral

nations" as herein used is defined as those nations whose combatant forces have not participated in the

hostilities in Korea. Members appointed to the Commission may be from the armed forces of the appointing

nations. Each member shall designate an alternate member to attend those meetings which for any reason

the principal member is unable to attend. Such alternate members shall be of the same nationality as their

principals. The Neutral Nations supervisory Commission may take action whenever the number of

members present from the neutral nations nominated by one side is equal to the number of members

present from the neutral nations nominated by the other side.

38. Members of the Neutral nations Supervisory Commission shall be permitted to use staff assistants

furnished by the neutral nations as required. These staff assistants may be appointed as alternate

members of the Commission.

39. The neutral nations shall be requested to furnish the Neutral nations Supervisory Commission with the

necessary administrative personnel to establish a Secretariat charged with assisting the Commission by

performing necessary record-keeping, secretarial, interpreting, and such other functions as the

Commission may assign to it.

40. (a) The Neutral Nations supervisory Commission shall be initially provided with, and assisted by, twenty

(20) neutral Nations Inspection Teams, which number may be reduced by agreement of the senior

members of both sides on the Military Armistice Commission. The Neutral nations Inspection Teams shall

be responsible to, shall report to, and shall be subject to the direction of, the Neutral Nations supervisory

Commission only.

(b) Each Neutral Nations Inspection Team shall be composed of not less than four (4) officers, preferably of

field grade, half of whom shall be from the neutral nations nominated by the Commander-in-Chief, United

Nations Command, and half of whom shall be from the neutral nations nominated jointly by the Supreme

Commander of the Korean People's Army, and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers.

Members appointed to the Neutral Nations Inspection Teams may be from the armed forces of the

appointed. In order to facilitate the functioning of the Teams, sub-teams composed of not less than two (2)

members, one of whom shall be from a neutral nation nominated by the Commander-in-Chief, United

Nations Command, and one of whom shall be from a neutral nation nominated jointly by the Supreme

Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, may

be formed as circumstances require. Additional personnel such as drivers, clerks, interpreters, and

communications personnel, and such equipment as may be required by the Teams to perform their

missions, shall be furnished by the Commander of each side, as required, in the Demilitarized Zone and in

the territory under his military control. The Neutral nations Supervisory Commission may provide itself and

the Neutral Nations Inspection Teams with such of the above personnel shall be personnel of the same

neutral nations of which the Neutral nations supervisory Commission is composed.

2. Functions and Authority

41. The mission of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall be to carry out the functions of

supervision, observation, inspection, and investigation, as stipulated in Sub-paragraphs 13(c) and 13(d)

and Paragraph 28 hereof, and to report the results of such supervision, observation, inspection, and

investigation to the Military Armistice Commission.

42. The Neutral nations Supervisory Commission shall:

(a) Locate its headquarters in proximity to the to the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission.
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(b) Adopt such rules of procedure as it may, from time to time, deem necessary.

(c) Conduct, through its members and its Neutral nations Inspection teams, the supervision and inspection

provided for in Sub-paragraphs 13(c) and 13(d) of this Armistice Agreement at the ports of entry

enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof, and the special observations and inspections provided for in

paragraph 28 hereof at those places where violations of this Armistice Agreement have been reported to

have occurred. The inspection of combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons, and ammunition by the

Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall be such as to enable them to properly insure that reinforcing

combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons, and ammunition are not being introduced into Korea; but this

shall not be construed as authorizing inspections or examinations of any secret designs of characteristics

of any combat aircraft, armored vehicle, weapon, or ammunition.

(d) Direct and supervise the operations of the Neutral Nations Inspection Teams.

(e) Station five (5) neutral nations Inspection Teams at the ports of entry merated in Paragraph 43 he

eof located in the territory under the military conl of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Comma

d; and five (5) Neutral nation nspection Teams at the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof l

ocated in the territory under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army

and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers; and establish initially ten (10) mobile Neutral

nations Inspection Teams in reserve, stationed in the general vicinity of the headquarters of the Neutral

Nations supervisory Commission, which number may be reduced by agreement of the senior members of

both sides on the Military Armistice Commission. Not more than half of the mobile Neutral Nations

Inspection Teams shall be dispatched at any one time in accordance with requests of the senior member of

either side on the Military Armistice Commission.

(f) Subject to the provisions of the preceding Sub-paragraphs, conduct without delay investigations of

reported violations of this Armistice Agreement, including such investigations of reported violations of this

Armistice Agreement as may be requested by the Military Armistice Commission or by the senior member

of either side on the Commission.

(g) Provide credentials and distinctive insignia for its staff and its Neutral nations Inspection Teams, and a

distinctive marking for all vehicles, aircraft, and vessels used in the Performance of this mission.

43. Neutral nations Inspection Teams shall be stationed at the following ports of entry.

Territory under the military contrail of the United Nations Command

INCHON..................................(37 28, 126 38'E)

TAEGU....................................(35 52'n, 128 36'E)

PUSAN....................................(35 45'N, 129 02'E)

KANGNUNG.............................(37 45'N, 128 54'E)

KUNSAN..................................(35 59'E, 126 43'E)

Territory under the military control of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers

SINUJU....................................(40 06'n, 124 24E)

CHONGJIN................................(41 46'N, 129 49E)

HUNGNAM...............................(39 50'N, 127 37'E)

MANPO....................................(41 46'N, 126 18'E)

SINANJU...................................(39 36'N, 125 36'E)

These Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall be accorded full convenience of movement within the areas

and over the routes of communication set forth on the attached map (Map 5).

3. General

44. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall meet daily. Recesses of not to exceed seven (7)

days may be agreed upon by the members of the Neutral nations Supervisory Commission; provided, that

such recesses may be terminated on twenty-four (24) hour notice by any member.

45. Copies of the record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Neutral Nations Supervisory commission

shall be forwarded to the Military Armistice commission as soon as possible after each meeting. Records

shall be kept in English, Korean, and Chinese.
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46. The Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall make periodic reports concerning the results of their

supervision observations, inspections, and investigations to the Neutral Nations supervisory Commission

as required by the Commission and, in addition, shall make such special reports as may be deemed

necessary by them, or as may be required by the Commission. Reports shall be submitted by a Team as a

whole, but may also be submitted by one or more individual members thereof; provided, that the reports

submitted by one or more individual members thereof shall be considered as information only.

47. Copies of the reports made by the Neutral Nations Inspection teams shall be forwarded to the Military

Armistice Commission by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission without delay and in the language

in which received. They shall not be delayed by the process of translation or evaluation. The Neutral

Nations Supervisory Commission shall evaluate such reports at the earliest practicable time and shall

forward their findings to the Military Armistice Commission as a matter of priority. The Military Armistice

Commission shall not take final action with regard to any such report until the evaluation thereof has been

received from the Neutral nations Supervisory Commission. Members of the Neutral nations Supervisory

Commission and of its Teams shall be subject to appearance before the Military Armistice Commission, at

the request of the senior member of either side on the Military Armistice Commission, for clarification of any

report submitted.

48. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall maintain duplicate files of the reports and records of

proceedings required by this Armistice Agreement. The Commission is authorized to maintain duplicate

files of such other reports, records, etc., as may be necessary in the conduct of its business. Upon eventual

dissolution of the Commission, one set of the above files shall be turned over to each side.

49. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission may make recommendations to the Military Armistice

Commission with respect to amendments or additions to this Armistice Agreement. Such recommended

changes should generally be those designed to insure a more effective armistice.

50. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, or any member thereof, shall be authorized to

communicated with any member of the Military Armistice Commission.

Article III Arrangement Relating to Prisoners of War

51. The release and repatriation of all prisoners of war held in the custody of each side at the time this

armistice agreement becomes effective shall be effected in conformity with the following provisions agreed

upon by both sides prior to the signing of this armistice agreement.

(a) Within sixty (60) days after this agreement becomes effective each side shall, without offering any

hindrance, directly repatriate and hand over in groups all those prisoners of war in its custody who insist on

repatriation to the side to which they belonged at the time of capture. Repatriation shall be accomplished in

accordance with the related provisions of this Article. In order to expedite the repatriation process of such

personnel, each side shall, prior to the signing of the Armistice Agreement, exchange the total numbers, by

nationalities, or personnel to be directly repatriated. Each group of prisoners of war delivered to the other

side shall be accompanied by rosters, prepared by nationality, to include name, rank (if any) and

internment or military serial number.

(b) Each side shall release all those remaining prisoners of war, who are not directly repatriated, from its

military control and from its custody and hand them over to the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission

for disposition in accordance with the provisions in the Annex hereto, "Terms of Reference for Neutral

Nations Repatriation Commission."

(c) So that there may be no misunderstanding owing to the equal use of three languages, the act of

delivery of a prisoner of war by one side to other side shall, for the purposes of the Armistice Agreement,

be called "repatriation" in English, ( ) "Song Hwan" in Korean and ( ) "Ch'ien Fan" in Chinese,

notwithstanding the nationality or place of residence of such prisoner of war.

52. Each side insures that it will not employ in acts of war in the Korean conflict any prisoner of war

released and repatriated incident to the coming into effect of this armistice agreement.

53. All the sick and injured prisoners of was who insist upon repatriation shall be repatriated with priority.

Insofar as possible, there shall be captured medical personnel repatriated concurrently with the sick and

injured prisoners of war, so as to provide medical care and attendance enroute.

54. The repatriation of all of the prisoners of war required by Sub-paragraph 51 (a) hereof shall be

completed within a time limit of sixty (60) days after this Armistice Agreement becomes effective. Within
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this time limit each side undertakes to complete repatriation of the above- mentioned prisoners of war in its

custody at the earliest practicable time.

55. PANMUNJOM is designated as the place where prisoners of war will be delivered and received by both

sides. Additional place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners of war in the Demilitarized Zone may be

designated, if necessary, by the Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War.

56. (a) A committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War is hereby established. It shall be composed of six

(6) officers of field grade, three (3) of whom shall be appointed by the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations

Command, and three (3) of whom shall be appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean

People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers. This Committee shall, under the

general supervision and direction of the Military Armistice Commission, be responsible for co- ordinating

the specific plans of both sides for the repatriation of prisoners of war and for supervision the execution by

both sides of all of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement relating to the repatriation of prisoners of war.

It shall be the duty of this Committee to co-ordinate the timing of the arrival of prisoners of war at the

place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners of war from the prisoner of war camps of both sides; to

make, when necessary, such special arrangements as may be required with regard to the transportation

and welfare of sick and injured prisoners of war; to co-ordinate the work of the joint Red Cross teams,

established in Paragraph 57 hereof, in assisting in the repatriation of prisoners of war; to supervise the

implementation of the arrangements for the actual repatriation of prisoners of war stipulated in Paragraphs

53 and 54 hereof; to select, when necessary, additional place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners of

war; and to carry out such other related functions as are required for the repatriation of prisoners of war.

(b) When unable to reach agreement on any matter relating to its responsibilities, the committee for

Repatriation of Prisoners of War shall immediately refer such matter to the Military Armistice Commission

for decision. The Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War shall maintain its headquarters in

proximity to the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission.

(c) The Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War shall be dissolved by the Military Armistice

Committee upon completion of the program of repatriation of prisoners of war.

57. (a) Immediately after this Armistice Agreement becomes effective, joint Red Cross teams composed of

representatives of the national Red Cross Societies of countries contributing forces to the United Nations

Command on the one hand, and representatives of the of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic

People's Republic of Korea and representatives of the Red Cross Society of the People's Republic of China

on the other hand, shall be established. The joint Red Cross teams shall assist in the execution by both

sides of those provisions of this Armistice Agreement relating to the repatriation of all the prisoners of war

specified in Sub-paragraph 51 (a) hereof, who insist upon repatriation, by the performance of such

humanitarian services as are necessary and desirable for the welfare of the prisoners of war. To

accomplish this task, the joint Red Cross teams shall provide assistance in the delivering and receiving of

prisoners of war by both sides at the place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners of war, and shall visit

the prisoner-of-war camps of both sides to comfort the prisoners of war.

(b) The joint Red Cross teams shall be organized as set forth below:

(1) One team shall be composed of twenty (20) members, namely, ten (10) representatives from the

national Red Cross Societies of each side, to assist in the delivering and receiving of prisoners of war by

both sides at the place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners of war. The chairmanship of this team shall

alternate daily between representative from the Red Cross Societies of the two sides. The work and

services of this team shall be coordinated by the Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War.

(2) One team shall be composed of sixty (60) members, namely, thirty (30) representatives from the

national Red Cross Societies of each side, to visit the prisoner-of-war camps under the administration of

the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers. This team may provide services to

prisoners of war while en route from the prisoner of war camps to the place(s) of delivery and reception of

prisoners of war. A representative of a Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or

of the Red Cross Society of the People's Republic of China shall serve as chairman of this team.

(3) One team shall be composed of sixty (60) members, namely, thirty (30) representatives from the

national Red Cross Societies of each side, to visit the prisoner of war camps under the administration of the

United Nations Command. This team may provide services to prisoners of war while en route from the

prisoner of war camps to the place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners of war. A representative of a

Red Cross Society of a nation contributing to forces to the United Nations Command shall serve as

chairman of this team.
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(4) In order to facilitate the functioning of each joint Red Cross team, sub-teams composed of not less than

two (2) members from this team, with an equal number of representatives from each side, may be formed

as circumstances require.

(5) Additional personnel such as drivers, clerks, and interpreters, and such equipment as may be required

by the joint Red Cross teams to perform their missions, shall be furnished by the Commander of each side

to the team operating in the territory under his military control.

(6) Whenever jointly agreed upon by the representatives of both sides on any joint Red Cross team, the

size of such team may be increased or decreased, subject to confirmation by the committee for

Repatriation of Prisoners of War.

(c) The Commander of each side shall co-operate fully with the joint Red Cross teams in the performance

of their functions, and undertakes to insure the security of the personnel of the Joint Red Cross team in the

area under his military control. The Commander of each side shall provide such logistic, administrative, and

communications facilities as may be required by the team operating in the territory under his military

control.

(d) The joint Red Cross teams shall be dissolved upon completion of the program of repatriation of all of the

prisoners of war specified in Sub-paragraph 51 (a) hereof, who insist upon repatriation.

58. (a) The Commander of each side shall furnish to the Commander of the other side as soon as

practicable, but not later than ten (10) days after this Armistice Agreement becomes effective, the following

information concerning prisoners of war:

(1) Complete data pertaining to the prisoners of war who escaped since the effective date of the data last

exchanged.

(2) Insofar as practicable, information regarding name, nationality, rank, and other identification data, date

and cause of death, and place of burial, of those prisoners of war who died while in his custody.

(b) If any prisoners of war escape or die after the effective date of the supplementary information specified

above, the detaining side shall furnish to the other side, through the Committee for Repatriation of

Prisoners of War, the data pertaining thereto in accordance with the provisions of Sub-paragraph 58 (a)

hereof. Such data shall be furnished at ten-day intervals until the completion of the program of delivery and

reception of prisoners of war.

(c) Any escaped prisoner of war who returns to the custody of the detaining side after the completion of the

program of delivery and reception of prisoners of war shall be delivered to the Military Armistice

Commission for disposition.

59. (a) All civilians who, at the time this Armistice Agreement become effective, are in territory under the

military control of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and who, on 24 June 1950, resided

north of the Military Demarcation Line established in this Armistice Agreement shall, if they desire to return

home, be permitted and assisted by the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, to return to the

area north of the military Demarcation Line; and all civilians who, at the time this Armistice Agreement

becomes effective, are in territory under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean

People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, and who on 24 June 1950,

resided south of the Military Demarcation Line established in this Armistice Agreement shall, if they desire

to return home, be permitted and assisted by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and

the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers to return to the area south Military Demarcation Line.

The Commander of each side shall e responsible for publicizing widely throughout the territory under his

military control the contents of the provisions of this Sub-paragraph, and for calling upon the appropriate

civil authorities to give necessary guidance and assistance to all such civilians who desire to return home.

(b) All civilians of foreign nationality who, at the time this Armistice Agreement becomes effective, are in

territory under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the

Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers shall if they desire to proceed to territory under the military

control of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations command, be permitted and assisted to do so; all

civilians of foreign nationality who, at the time this Armistice Agreement becomes effective, are in territory

under the military control of the Commander-in- Chief, United Nations Command, shall, if they desire to

proceed to territory under the military Control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army

and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, be permitted and assisted to do so. The
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Commander of each side shall be responsible for publicizing widely throughout the territory under his

military control of contents of the provisions of this sub-paragraph, and for calling upon the appropriate civil

authorizes to give necessary guidance and assistance to all such civilians of foreign nationality who desire

to proceed to territory under the military control of the Commander of the other side.

(c) Measures to assist in the return of civilians provided for in Sub-paragraph 59 (a) hereof and the

movement of civilians provided for in Sub-paragraph 59 (b) hereof shall be commenced by both sides as

soon as possible after this Armistice Agreement becomes effective.

(d) (1) A Committee for Assisting the Return of Displace Civilians is hereby established. It shall be

composed of four (4) officers of field grade, two (2) of whom shall be appointed jointly by the Commanderin-Chief, United Nations Command, and two (2) of whom shall be appointed jointly by the Supreme

Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers. This

committee shall, under the general supervision and direction of the Military Armistice Commission, be

responsible for coordinating the specific plans of both sides for assistance to the return of the abovementioned civilians. It shall be the duty of this Committee to make necessary arrangements, including

those of transportation, for expediting and coordinating the movement of the above-mentioned civilians; to

select the crossing point(s) through which the above-mentioned civilians will cross the Military Demarcation

Line; to arrange for security at the crossing point(s); and to carry out such other functions as are required to

accomplish the return of the above-mentioned civilians.

(2) When unable to reach agreement on any matter relating to its responsibilities, the Committee for

Assisting the return of Displaced Civilians shall immediately refer such matter to the Military Armistice

Commission for decision. The Committee for assisting the Return of Displaced Civilians shall maintain its

headquarters in proximity to the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission.

(3) The Committee for Assisting the Return of Displaced Civilians shall be dissolved by the Military

Armistice Commission upon fulfillment of its mission.

Article IV

Recommendations to the Governments Concerned on Both Sides

60. In order to insure the peaceful settlement of the Korean question, the military Commanders of both

sides hereby recommend to the governments of the countries concerned on both sides that, within three (3)

months after the Armistice Agreement is signed and becomes effective, a political conference of a higher

level of both sides be held by representatives appointed respectively to settle through negotiation the

questions of the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Korea, the peaceful settlement of the Korean

question, etc.

Article V

Miscellaneous

61. Amendments and additions to this Armistice Agreement must be mutually agreed to by the

Commanders of the opposing sides.

62. The Articles and Paragraphs of this Armistice Agreement shall remain in effect until expressly

superseded either by mutually acceptable amendments and additions or by provision in an appropriate

agreement for a peaceful settlement at a political level between both sides.

63. All of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement, other than Paragraph 12, shall become effective at

2200 hours on 27 July 1953.

Done at Panmunjom, Korea at 10:00 hours on the 27th day of July 1953, in English, Korean and Chinese,

all texts being equally authentic.

NAM IL

___________________________________

General, Korea People's Army

Senior Delegate, 

Delegation of the Korean People's Army

and the Chinese People's Volunteers

WILLIAM K. HARRISON, JR. 

___________________________________
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Lieutenant General, United States Army

Senior Delegate,

United Nations Command Delegation 

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