SparkNotes: The Korean War (1950-1953): Eisenhower, War's End, and the Aftermath Eisenhower, War's End, and the Aftermath Eisenhower, War's End, and the Aftermath → The Long Path of Negotiations Eisenhower, War's End, and the Aftermath, page 2 page 1 of 2 Summary After taking office, Eisenhower soon replaced General James Van Fleet, who had started arguing for an all-out invasion, with Lt. General Maxwell Taylor. No immediate progress was made in the negotiations other than the exchange of a few prisoners in March of 1953. In order to show strength, the Communists made an attack on Americans at "Pork Chop Hill" in April. Eisenhower was unfazed, and by the end of April talks were once again underway Panmunjom. On June 8, the two sides finally came to an agreement over the tricky POW (Prisoner of War) issue, outlining their solutions in a document call the "Terms of Reference." Under this agreement, those POWs that refused to return to Communist territory would be placed under the auspices of a neutral commission for a period of three months.

If, after the end of those three months, the POWs still refused to be repatriated, they would be allowed to go free. With the POW issue solved, it seemed that a final peace treaty was in sight. After the "Terms of Reference", however, the Communists pressed for some final negotiating leverage with a one-week offensive in June. And on a second front, the US had to deal with the problem of Syngman Rhee, who continued to spout promises about Korean reunification, and who promised to invade North Korea even if he only had the ROK army on his side. The US considered organizing a coup to remove Rhee from power, but never carried the action out. Instead, the US convinced Rhee to stop shouting for reunification by promising to intervene on South Korea's behalf if North Korea ever did invade, and by promising $1 billion in aid for South Korea's economic recovery after the war. Despite these minor crises, agreement was finally reached at Panmunjom. On July 27, 1953, The UN, China, and North Korea signed an armistice. South Korea refused to sign, but with little effect.

Under the terms of the treaty neither side would be allowed to increase the number of non-Korean military personnel stationed in Korea. The armistice also established a 2.5 mile wide buffer between North and South Korea along the 38th parallel, termed the "demilitarized zone." Within this zone, all troops and weapons were banished. In practice, however, the zone was heavily militarized, with over 1 million troops facing off. In fact, because South Korea never signed the armistice, the two countries remain technically at war even today. After the war, North Korea and South Korea remained divided, a symbol of the effect of the Cold War similar to the division of Germany and Berlin. Families were broken up by the war and lived on opposite sides of the demilitarized zone, unable to visit or even communicate with each other. Syngman Rhee's southern regime became even more dictatorial, and in 1960 he resigned after student riots. South Korea only became more unstable with his departure, and it is only in the last two decades that South Korea has really seen sustained economic growth.

In North Korea, Kim Il-sung developed a full-scale personality cult, and ruled until his death in 1994. Tensions between the two countries remain to this day, perhaps seen best in North Korea's boycott of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, to which the USSR and PRC sent athletes. The legacy of the Korean War continues to haunt the United States, as the US worries about North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons. Commentary Along with his vast military experience and easy-going attitude, part of Eisenhower's confidence in the spring of 1953 stemmed from the fact that the US had successfully tested an which was vastly more powerful than an A- Bomb, and had thereby surged ahead in the arms race with the USSR (the Soviets shocked the US by testing their own H-bomb in late 1953). Eisenhower considered nuclear bombs to be just another weapon and was considering using small nuclear bombs in Korea, especially because, for their price, they packed more punch than conventional weaponry. He never actually authorized their use, however.

1 Peace negotiations | Ceasefire at Panmunjom | Australia's involvement in the Korean War Australia's involvement in the Korean War Site Search Ceasefire at Panmunjom, 27 July 1953 Peace negotiations In the first, manoeuvre, phase of the Korean War both sides aspired to total victory to unify the country under either the northern or the southern government... Show caption Korea, 1955. Although the Korean War has been over for more than two years, the truce camp at Panmunjom, sited between the communist and United Nations Forces, is still the only point where representatives of the two sides meet to settle disputes arising out of the truce agreement. Here the American Officer in Command of the truce camp, Major S J Dankevich (right) makes a point to a member of the Swedish mediating team. [AWM SWEJ0129] ... Enlarge the photo of the truce camp representatives In December 1950, the United States – by far the most influential United Nations country at war in Korea – abandoned this aim as it saw no prospect of complete victory now that China had intervened in the war.

China, the main player in the alliance between North Korea, the Soviet Union and China , took another six months to come to the same conclusion. After the defeat of the communist fifth phase offensive in mid-1950, it too decided the war would only end with a negotiated peace. Negotiations opened at Kaesong on 10 July 1951 and were later moved to Panmunjom. The issues to be settled were where the ceasefire line – in effect the new border – would be, what would be the long-term arrangements to maintain the ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war (including 30 Australians ) and arrangements for reaching a more detailed settlement of the conflict. During the remaining two years of the war there was fighting along the now reasonably static front as both sides wished to influence the negotiations by winning battles. Operation Commando was one of these battles during which 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment took Maryang San losing over 100 casualties. The pattern of negotiating while fighting, together with some periods when negotiations were halted in protest at the actions of the other side, continued to the very end of the war. Australia’s last battle, at the Hook , took place in the week leading up to the ceasefire.

The building in Panmunjom village, 52 kilometres north-west of Seoul, where the ceasefire was negotiated and signed. [AWM P04641.047] ... Enlarge the photo of the building in Panmunjom By 1953 both China and the United States were keen to find a solution to the impasse. President Dwight Eisenhower stepped up the bombing of North Korea and even considered threatening the use of atomic weapons if China did not agree to peace. However, the obstacle was not China but the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin , who believed continuing the war was to the advantage of the Soviet Union from a broader Cold War perspective. His death on 5 March 1953 cleared the way for a ceasefire. A four-kilometre wide demilitarised zone , on the line held on the day the ceasefire came into effect, was agreed to. Prisoners of war were exchanged and further negotiations for a comprehensive peace were planned but did not take place. A meeting between the concerned powers in Geneva in 1954 also failed to reach agreement and all negotiations ceased in 1955. North and South Korea remain technically still at war.

A Neutral Nations Supervisory Committee set up in 1953 continues to this day to monitor the ceasefire. Both sides maintain large military forces along the demilitarized zone where more than a thousand people have died in border skirmishes. Site Contents Armistice ends the Korean War - Jul 27, 1953 - HISTORY.com Armistice ends the Korean War Share this: Armistice ends the Korean War Author Armistice ends the Korean War URL Publisher A+E Networks After three years of a bloody and frustrating war, the United States, the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, and South Korea agree to an armistice, bringing the Korean War to an end. The armistice ended America’s first experiment with the Cold War concept of “limited war.” The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when communist North Korea invaded South Korea. Almost immediately, the United States secured a resolution from the United Nations calling for the military defense of South Korea against the North Korean aggression. In a matter of days, U.S. land, air, and sea forces had joined the battle. The U.S. intervention turned the tide of the war, and soon the U.S.

and South Korean forces were pushing into North Korea and toward that nation’s border with China. In November and December 1951, hundreds of thousands of troops from the People’s Republic of China began heavy assaults against the American and South Korea forces. The war eventually bogged down into a battle of attrition. In the U.S. presidential election of 1952, Republican candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower strongly criticized President Harry S. Truman’s handling of the war. After his victory, Eisenhower adhered to his promise to “go to Korea.” His trip convinced him that something new was needed to break the diplomatic logjam at the peace talks that had begun in July 1951. Eisenhower began to publicly hint that the United States might make use of its nuclear arsenal to break the military stalemate in Korea. He allowed the Nationalist Chinese government on Taiwan to begin harassing air raids on mainland China. The president also put pressure on his South Korean ally to drop some of its demands in order to speed the peace process. Whether or not Eisenhower’s threats of nuclear attacks helped, by July 1953 all sides involved in the conflict were ready to sign an agreement ending the bloodshed.

The armistice, signed on July 27, established a committee of representatives from neutral countries to decide the fate of the thousands of prisoners of war on both sides. It was eventually decided that the POWs could choose their own fate–stay where they were or return to their homelands. A new border between North and South Korea was drawn, which gave South Korea some additional territory and demilitarized the zone between the two nations. The war cost the lives of millions of Koreans and Chinese, as well as over 50,000 Americans. It had been a frustrating war for Americans, who were used to forcing the unconditional surrender of their enemies. Many also could not understand why the United States had not expanded the war into China or used its nuclear arsenal. As government officials were well aware, however, such actions would likely have prompted World War III. Related Videos 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 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 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. (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 enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof located in the territory under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command; and five (5) Neutral nations Inspection Teams at the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof located 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) 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. 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 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. (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 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 Commander-in-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 above-mentioned 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 SparkNotes: The Korean War (1950-1953): Timeline The Korean War (1950-1953) Important Terms, People, and Events Background on Korea February 1904: Russo-Japanese War begins September 1905: Treaty of Portsmouth (ends Russo-Japanese War) 1905: Japan makes Korea a protectorate 1910: Japan makes Korea a formal colony. 1917: Russian Revolution. Japanese take some of Russia's Eastern Siberian territory. 1931-1932: Mostly of their own volition, Japan's Kwantung Army occupies Chinese Manchuria and sets up a puppet state of "Manchuko". America wants to return Manchuria to the Chinese; this is one reason behind Pacific fighting in World War II. 1937: Japan declares war on China. February 1945: Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin meet at Yalta.

July 1945: Roosevelt dies, succeeded by Truman, who represents the US at Potsdam. Truman "gets tough" on communism; Stalin grabs territory. August 10, 1945: After atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese offer surrender in World War II. Russian troops enter Korea. August 28, 1945: After reaching the 38th Parallel of Korea, Russian troops stop. October 20, 1945: Syngman Rhee makes first public appearance in South Korea after years of exile. Summer 1947: Marshall Plan announced. September 1947: Congress/JCS (Joint Chiefs of Staff) want to get out of Korea. September 1947: Cominform (Communist Information Bureau) founded in Soviet Union. November 14, 1947: UN passes American resolution calling for free elections in Korea. May 10, 1948: Korean Election Day.

June 24, 1948: Berlin Blockade September 9, 1948: In North Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (PRK) proclaimed. January 12, 1949: Dean Acheson speech to National Press Club Says South Korea not a vital part of US defense perimeter in Asia. January 19, 1949: Korean Aid Bill fails to pass the House of Representatives. April 4, 1949: NATO Pact signed September 1949: "Joe One"; Soviets test their first A-bomb--the arms race begins. October 2, 1949: Mao Zedong proclaims PRC (People's Republic of China). January 14, 1950: Ho Chi Minh proclaims DRV (Democratic Republic of Vietnam). April 25, 1950: Truman approves NSC-68 May 30, 1950: In South Korea, Republic Of Korea elections. Many conservatives ousted by moderates. June 25, 1950: North Korea crosses the 38th Parallel, invading South Korea.

June 25, 1950: First Blair House meeting. June 26, 1950: North Korea's tanks reach the outskirts of Seoul. June 27, 1950: Truman commits US Naval and Air support to South Korea. June 27, 1950: American Delegate asks UN to furnish assistance to ROK (Republic of Korea) to restore international peace. June 29, 1950: General MacArthur flies to South Korean headquarters at Suwon. June 30, 1950: Truman and advisers agree to give MacArthur 2 divisions. July 2, 1950: NKPA (North Korean People's Army) takes Suwon. July 22, 1950: Communist Chinese attack Nationalist Chinese islands, Quemoy and Little Quemoy. July 29, 1950: MacArthur visits Formosa, home of the Nationalist Chinese defeated by Mao. August 17, 1950: US announces in UN its goal of a unified, anti-Communist Korea.

August 27, 1950: US planes accidentally attack Manchurian airfields. September 11, 1950: Truman approves NSC-81/1. September 15, 1950: With US/UN/ROK forces pushed back nearly to the end of the Korean peninsula, MacArthur launches the Inchon Invasion. September 27, 1950: Walker's Eighth Army makes contact with X Corps. MacArthur gives OK for US forces to cross the 38th Parallel. September 29, 1950: Syngman Rhee's government ceremonially restored in reconquered Seoul. October 9, 1950: US Army crosses 38TH Parallel near Kaesong. October 15, 1950: Wake Island Meeting October 19, 1950: US forces occupy Pyongyang October 24, 1950: MacArthur orders his troops into Korea's northernmost provinces. October 25, 1950: South Korean ROK forces annihilated by PRC (People's Republic of China) forces at Pukchin.

November 1, 1950: First US vs. Communist Chinese fighting at Unsan November 3, 1950: UN resolution passed, censuring North Korea for "breach of peace" November 7, 1950: Congressional Elections in US, seen as a referendum on Truman's policy. November 27, 1950: US Marines/Infantry surrounded by Chinese Communist forces at Chosin Reservoir. November 30, 1950: In press conference, Truman admits US may be considering using A-Bomb. December 15, 1950: Truman declares a state of national emergency. January 4, 1951: Ridgway evacuates Seoul, withdraws from Inchon January 25, 1951: Operation Thunderbolt. US/UN/ROK forces go back on the offensive. February 1, 1951: UN censures People's Republic of China for "aggression" February 1951: Operation Killer begun. March 7, 1951: Ridgway launches Operation Ripper.

March 15, 1951: US/UN/ROK forces retake Seoul. March 24, 1951: MacArthur unilaterally issues an ultimatum to the People's Republic of China. April 4, 1951: Congress endorses NATO, sends Eisenhower to head unified NATO command. April 5, 1951: Operation Rugged. April 5, 1951: Truman dismisses MacArthur from command. May 3, 1951 to June 25, 1951: Senate Foreign Relations Committee investigates MacArthur's dismissal. April 14, 1951: Gen. James Van Fleet assumes tactical command of Eighth Army. April 22, 1951: All-out Communist offensive fails to retake Seoul. May 15, 1951: Another Communist offensive, again fails to take territory. May 18, 1951: Ridgway launches counteroffensive. May 18, 1951: UN nations start military goods boycott of the People Republic of China.

May 30, 1951: Operation Piledriver, an offensive against the Iron Triangle, begins. June 30, 1951: Ridgway broadcasts first American overture for peace talks. July 8, 1951: Peace talks begin at Kaesong. August 19, 1951: Communists accuse UN forces of violating the Kaesong area, suspend the talks. October 25, 1951: Peace talks resume at Panmunjom. March 29, 1952: Truman announces he will not run for reelection. April 11, 1952: Truman relieves Eisenhower of command so he can run for President. June 1952: Washington authorizes bombing Korean power plants on the Yalu river. July 11, 1952: US air attack on Pyongyang. August 5, 1952: Rhee wins another clearly rigged election. November 4, 1952: Eisenhower wins Presidential election in landslide.

November 29, 1952: Eisenhower secretly goes to Korea on fact-finding mission February 11, 1953: Eisenhower replaces the frustrated Van Fleet with Lt. Gen. Maxwell Taylor. April 16, 1953: Communists attack "Pork Chop Hill" April 26, 1953: Talks resume at Panmunjom. June 8, 1953: "Terms of Reference," regulating POW repatriation, signed. July 19, 1953: Delegates reach agreement at Panmunjom. July 27, 1953: Peace Treaty signed at Panmunjom. 38th parallel reset as boundary between communist North and anti-communist South. Cold War tensions continue unabated. Gen. Mark W. Clark says he has "the unenviable distinction of being the first US Army commander to sign an armistice without victory." Panmunjom Cease Fire Agreement Final Phase of the Korean War The Panmunjom cease-fire agreement was signed on July 27, 1953. North Koreans celebrate the 27th day of July every year as the victory day.

However, they were not the real winners. The winners are the American negotiators against their communist counterparts. The other important winner was Dr. Syngman Rhee, the president of (south) Korea, against the Eisenhower administration of the United States. Thanks to those winners, (south) Korea now is one of the most prosperous countries in the world, and is the most important ally of the United States in the Pacific area. Please read the following articles carefully. Rhee releases Prisoners of War. written (2005.4.21) coverted to webpage (2013.7.21) Eisenhower came to Korea in January of 1963 two weeks before his inauguration. He told Rhee stopping the war was a better alternative than continuing the costly war. Dr. Rhee was not impressed. Let us summarize what Americans wanted and what Koreans did not want during the Panmunjom cease-fire talks (1951-53). In 1953, the most pressing issue for the Eisenhower administration was to stop the war in Korea and bring American boys home. However, Koreans did not want an inconclusive end of the war with the country divided.

Rhee knew that he could not stop the cease-fire process. The best he could get from Eisenhower was a mutual military treaty which will commit the United States to the security guarantee of Korea. His position was that American troops could go home once the United States signed a paper guaranteeing the security of Korea. From the American point of view, it is unthinkable to have a formal treaty with an inferior country like Korea. On the other hand, Eisenhower's Republican administration had enough hard-liners against the communist expansion in Asia. Thus, Rhee's insistence started gaining support among those hard-line anti-communist politicians. Dr. Rhee liked this man. On June 25, 1953, at a public meeting, President Rhee introduced Gen. Paik Sun-Yup as the man who would occupy Pyongyang again. He pledged to continue fighting, while Americans were getting ready to sign the cease-fire agreement. He sounded crazy to Americans, but they could not ignore him. As for Gen. Paik, he was the commander of the First Division of the Korean army in 1950. In October of 1950, he led his Division to enter his home-town city of Pyongyang. Click here for a very interesting story.

Korea's mutual defense treaty with the United States being signed in Seoul (September 1953). This was one of the biggest and sweetest packages Rhee obtained from the United States. In order to make his point known to Americans, Rhee ordered Korean students to stage anti-cease-fire demonstrations throughout the country. This produced no effects on Americans. On June 25 of 1953 (one month before the cease fire), there was a public meeting in Busan (capital city at that time) marking the third anniversary of the 6.25 day. President Rhee said there that Koreans would march northward after Americans left the country. He introduced General Paik Sun-Yup to the crowd as the man (yi-saram) who first reached Pyongyang (before Americans) with his Korean troops in October of 1950. Still, the Eisenhower administration was silent about the mutual defense treaty. As a last resort, two weeks before the scheduled cease-fire day of July 27, Rhee ordered his Korean POW guards to release all anti-communist North Korean prisoners of war. There were approximately 120,000 POWs.

About one half of them were anti-communists and were refusing to go back to the North. They had been separated from the die-hard communists and were kept in minimum security camps near Busan. It was an easy job for the Korean guards to let them go. About 28,000 POWs were released. Those POW guards relayed Rhee's message to them. "I am your president. You are now free in your country." Since Americans and the Communists had worked out an elaborate procedure for handling those POWs during the cease-fire talks, Rhee's action created a great shock to them. The Communists were accusing Americans of violating the agreement. As a consequence, the Eisenhower administration had to send a special envoy to to Busan (capital city of Korea at that time) to find out what Rhee really wanted. Rhee set out three conditions: to double the size of the Korean army equipped with U.S. arms, financial commitment to construct an industrial base, a written security guarantee in the form of mutual defense treaty. Americans accepted Rhee's terms and Rhee's promise not to jeopardize the cease-fire process. The cease-fire was signed on July 27, 1953.

Rhee's Korean government did not participate in the process and did not sign the cease-fire documents. In the South, the cease-fire was a national disgrace. Click here for the NLL issue. Korean money looked like this in 1953. Korea's economy is infinitely stronger now. In 1953, the population of Busan was about one million. The addition of 28,000 more Koreans meant a substantial population shift. Yet, Koreans in Busan did not complain, and those "new" citizens were accommodated comfortably in private houses. They were given jobs. Korean girls did not mind marrying them. We all say that Korea is much stronger country now because of its industrial production. On the other hand, I would say Korea is much weaker country. Why? There are now more than ten million people in Seoul. There is a possibility of 28,000 North Korean refugees coming to Seoul in one day. The city of Seoul has more than enough economic power to accommodate them. But, do the citizens of Seoul have enough hearts and minds to absorb them?

Cease Fire Agreement of July 27, 1953 written (2005.5.17) webapged (2013.7.16) American and North Korean soldiers are exchanging fun talks while tedious negotiations are taking place inside the conference hall, during the Panmunjom cease-fire talks. The B-29 bomber (small) with four propellers and the B-36 bomber with six propellers. Horace Underwood was the first American missionary in Korea. He had his villa at the Kumipo beach near Sorae on the southern coast of Hwanghae Province. As I said many times before, I spent the first eleven years my life there. What is so special about this place? Click here for the early history of Korean Christianity. From the Island of Baeknyun, you can see Sorae's mountains. The North Korean side wanted this island for their fishing purposes, but it was occupied by Korean marines at that time. The island was the South's intelligence base during the war. Americans, tired of negotiations, were ready to give up this island, but two of the Underwood grandsons intervened. Horace Underwood had a son known to Koreans as Dr.

Won Han-Kyung who devoted his entire life to Yonsei University. He had four sons. The eldest son was Horace III (known as Won Il-Han), and the youngest son is Richard. These two sons spoke Korean fluently and worked as interpreters during the cease-fire negotiations. These Underwood brothers wanted to keep the Baeknyun Island on our side. The reason was simple. They could see their house in Kumipo from this island. Their logic was even correct. The cease-fire line was agreed to be the combat line. The Baeknyun Island was under our military control. The Underwood brothers persuaded the chief American negotiator and thus General Mark Clark (the commander of the U.N. Forces) not to give up the island. They presented this map. This then was the American position. The cease-fire was signed on July 27 without an agreement on the line on the West Sea. From our point of view, there were no problems at that time. Americans maintained an absolute naval superiority over North Korea's bath-tub navy. Even on this issue, Americans had their way.

These days, we hear often about naval confrontations in that area, and North Koreans say different things about the cease-fire line in the sea. I am giving my final exam to students today (2005.5.17), and I will be making frequent conference trips during the summer. While attending a conference in Sweden next month, I will be making an excursion to a Russian city of Kaliningrad. This city used to be a German city called Koenigsburg before 1945. I am going there because I have a great respect for a philosopher named Immanuel Kant who spent his entire life there. After Stalin took over that place in 1945, as he did to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, he kicked out all Germans and sent Russians into that city. I am curious about how effective Stalin was in his human engineering. Stalin was interested in moving Koreans to Kazkhstan and Uzbechistan, and sending Russians into the Korean peninsula. Rhee Seungman and Kim Il-Sung, though sworn enemies, prevented this disaster. I have many other stories to tell. I would love to talk about the following items. Please come again.

Who is responsible for starting the Panmunjom cease-fire talk? When and how did the cease-fire talk begin? Who really won in the talks. Many other questions. I feel I have to clarify these issues before I die, because I am the only one who could answer some of the above questions. copyright@2013 by Y. S. Kim. Unless otherwise specified, all photos are from the public domain, the Wikipedia fair-use domain, the North Korean propaganda literature, or from my personal collection. Today's Document from the National Archives Larger Version Korean War Armistice Agreement, July 27, 1953; Treaties and Other International Agreements Series #2782; General Records of the United States Government; Record Group 11; National Archives. The Korean War, which began on June 25, 1950, when the North Koreans invaded South Korea, officially ended on July 27, 1953. At 10 a.m., in Panmunjom, scarcely acknowledging each other, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William K. Harrison, Jr., senior delegate, United Nations Command Delegation; North Korean Gen.

Nam Il, senior delegate, Delegation of the Korean People’s Army and the Chinese People’s Volunteers, signed 18 official copies of the tri-language Korean Armistice Agreement. Peace Talks at Panmunjom - The Korean War The Korean War Peace Talks at Panmunjom October 25th, 1951 - July 27th, 1953 The Korean peace talks were moved from Kaesong to Panmunjom on October 25, 1951. This relocation was decided in the terms of the Panmunjom Security Agreement, signed earlier on October 22. Participating in these talks were the Korean People’s Army and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, negotiating with the United Nations Command (U.N.C) headed by the U.S. The Panmunjom peace talks were guided by a five-item agenda. Item one was the agenda itself, being agreed upon beforehand. The second item was the Military Demarcation Line and Demilitarized Zone. On November 27, 1951 both sides agreed upon a Military Demarcation Line along the line of contact at the current time.

Although the line changed in a few small ways, it was largely the same when the Armistice was signed. Next they had to work out the details of maintaining the Armistice. Though both sides wanted a Military Armistice Commission with equal representation from the U.N.C. and the Korean People’s Army, the U.N.C. wanted this commission to be able to enforce the Armistice throughout all of Korea. This was contrary the Korean People’s Army that wanted the Military Armistice Commission to only be able to enforce the Armistice in the demilitarized zone. In the March of 1952 both sides agreed upon the establishment of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission or NNSC. This was an organization of nations neutral to the Korean War that were willing to oversee the maintaining of the Armistice. Among these nations were Poland, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia and Sweden. Each side was also allowed five ports to replace their broken down or old military equipment. However, there were two major areas of contention. The first being the U.N.C. demand for a ban on North Korean airfield repair; the second being the Korean People’s Army and Chinese People’s Volunteer Army demand for Soviet Union inclusion NNSC.

These issues would remain through most of the negotiations. On February 19, 1952 both sides resolved item five of the agenda, “Recommendations to the Governments Concerned on Each Side”. They agreed to hold a meeting three months after the signing of the Armistice to address a few major remaining issues. The largest hang up the conference met, halting any major progress for a year and a half, was item four, “Arrangements Relating to Prisoners of War.” The original plan was to exchange all prisoners at the signing of the Armistice, but this did not work because of a large section of U.N.C. prisoners that didn’t wish to return to North Korea. Some of them were South Koreans that had been captured and force into service, who hoped to return to the Republic of Korea (South Korea). As well, a large number of Chinese soldiers preferred not return to China but instead move to Taiwan. The United States refused to force any citizens to repatriate against their will, while the Korean People’s Army and Chinese People’s Volunteer Army didn’t want to give up such a large number of prisoners.

Both sides eventually agreed to the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, that allowed countries a limited time to attempt to convince their citizens to return. After a series of back and forth negotiations on specifics, the Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953. Opinion: The Panmunjom Peace talks not only made way for an Armistice ending gunfire between the two sides, it also established the guidelines for all future interactions between North and South Korea. The border determined during the conferences stands today, and nothing more than minor skirmishes have occurred between North and South Korea since the signing of the Armistice. By staying focused on ending the conflict and working diligently, this conference resolved major differences between the many nations involved. This allowed for each nation to have some of their requests met. Essentially, the Panmunjom Peace Talks ended the Korean War. Create a free website Korean War Armistice turns 60 July 27 | Article | The United States Army Korean War Armistice turns 60 July 27 By Mr.

Franklin Fisher (Red Cloud)July 24, 2013 Share via Email 1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Korean girl with her brother on her back moves wearily past a stalled tank near Haengju, in Kyonggi Province, Korea, June 9, 1951, during the Korean War of 1950-1953. The war, which claimed millions of lives and left the Korean peninsula devastated, halted with the signing of an armistice July 27, 1953, 60 years ago Saturday. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The front page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer's July 27, 1953 edition announced the long-awaited news of the armistice that 60 years ago Saturday was signed in Panmunjom, ending full-scale fighting in the Korean War of 1950 " 1953. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL 3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S.

Marines use scaling ladders as they assault North Korean positions at Inchon in South Korea Sept. 15, 1950. The amphibious landings there were crucial in turning the tables " for a time " on the North Korean invaders. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. W.W. Frank) VIEW ORIGINAL 4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In war-ravaged Seoul Nov. 1, 1950, an aged Korean woman pauses in her search for salvageable materials amid the rubble. (Photo Credit: Capt. C.W. Huff) VIEW ORIGINAL 5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In a Jan. 8, 1951 photo, a long column of Korean refugees plods south through the snow outside Kangnung in Kangwon Province. (Photo Credit: Cpl. Walter Calmus) VIEW ORIGINAL 6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL 7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Lt. Alvin Anderson, one of many repatriated Korean War POWs to arrive aboard ship in San Francisco Sept. 14, 1953, is greeted by family members.

Release of prisoners came after signing of the armistice July 27, 1953. (Photo Credit: Herb Weiss) VIEW ORIGINAL CAMP RED CLOUD -- Saturday, July 27 marks the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended full-scale hostilities during the Korean War of 1950-1953. By the time the fighting stopped the entire Korean peninsula -- North and South -- was a war-ravaged ruin and millions had died. "You've got to remember, five years removed from World War II you saw ground combat that rivaled the intensity of battles fought in World War II or, as far as that goes, any war in history," said Ron Miller, Eighth Army command historian. The war began June 25, 1950 when around 4 a.m. North Korean forces struck south across the 38th Parallel that divided North and South Korea. In response to the invasion, President Harry Truman ordered immediate U.S. naval and air action to try to slow the North Korean advance and avert the capture of South Korea's capital, Seoul. Within three days the North Koreans had captured Seoul, and pressed their drive south.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council the night of June 27 voted for military action to repel the invasion. Eventually 16 member-nations sent military forces or some other form of direct aid to the effort. By June 30, the first American ground troops had been rushed to Korea from occupation duty in Japan, and more units continued arriving thereafter. But though at times the North Korean advance was slowed it could not be stopped and by August U.S. forces were backed into a corner of the southeastern peninsula in what came to be called the Pusan Perimeter. The Perimeter was an 80-by-50-mile front bounded on the north and west by the Naktong River, on the south by the Korea Strait, and on the east by the Sea of Japan. North Korean forces kept the Perimeter under intense pressure and for most of the desperate battle there was fear the enemy might carry out their boast to drive UN forces into the sea. But it was while that battle raged that the war reached one of its several turning points. UN forces under command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out an amphibious landing Sept.

15 on South Korea's west coast at Inchon, cutting off the enemy's lines of communication and resupply The North Korean forces were outflanked and soon began a flight north. This also enabled U.S. forces to break out of the Pusan Perimeter and drive at the North Koreans from the south. By October 1950 North Korean forces had been expelled from South Korea. But what came next soon led to one of the worst reversals in American military history, one that changed the entire scale and duration of the war: UN forces pursued the enemy into North Korea itself. U.S. and South Korean troops captured North Korea's capital, Pyongyang on Oct. 19, and by Oct. 26 elements of the South Korean 6th Division reached the Yalu River, where North Korea borders China. It was then, only days later, that a massive Chinese ground force sprang a surprise offensive that threw UN forces into a retreat that continued all the way back into South Korea. Seoul fell once again to the enemy, on Jan. 4, 1951. Command of the Eighth U.S. Army had meanwhile passed to Lt. Gen. Matthew B.

Ridgway, a veteran combat leader who soon got demoralized UN ground forces back on the offensive. Ridgway took command after Eighth Army's previous commander, Lt. Gen. Walton H. Walker, was killed in a jeep accident Dec. 23. Camp Walker in Daegu is named in his honor. After weeks of back-and-forth fighting, UN troops reentered Seoul in mid-March. See-saw fighting continued for several more months but by June 1951 UN forces had pushed the enemy out of South Korea and the war entered a new phase, one of mainly static, positional warfare. Both sides now faced each other from entrenched positions on the slopes and ridgelines in the vicinity of the 38th Parallel. Truce talks began July 21, 1951, and continued stop-and-go for two years, with one of the main sticking points being disagreement over the terms governing prisoner exchange. But, at last, agreement was reached and an armistice signed at Panmunjom 10 a.m. July 27, 1953. According to figures compiled by the U.S.

Forces Korea Command History Office, military casualties for North Korean and Chinese forces combined are estimated at 615,000 - 750,000 killed and 789,000 wounded. South Korean forces killed, 137,899; wounded 450,742. U.S. dead, 36,940, of which 33,665 were killed in action and 3,275 were non-combat deaths; wounded, 103,284. Military casualties for other UN forces: more than 3,700 killed; wounded, more than 12,500. Civilian casualties -- dead and injured -- on both sides have been estimated at 2.5 million. "The suspension of full-scale hostilities definitely brought an end to the high casualty rates," said Miller. "Unfortunately, the civilian population suffered almost as much as frontline Soldiers," he said. "It divided families, it rendered many homeless. It definitely was a hardship." RELATED LINKS

Question: What war was ended by the Treaty of Panmunjom on July 27, 1953?
Answer: The Korean War