It is a common refrain among commentators to remind the general public that the Korean War is not yet truly over. Indeed, what was signed in Panmunjom on July 27, 1953, was an armistice agreement that ensured the “cessation of hostilities” but promised a later “final peaceful settlement.” Nearly 70 years later, that settlement has yet to happen. Amid this legal limbo, the incumbent South Korean administration has proposed declaring a formal end to the war to dramatically reduce tensions and jumpstart discussions on inter-Korean cooperation. However, many observers raise doubts on whether such a gesture would really lead to Pyongyang adopting a less provocative posture.
To discuss what an end of war declaration would mean for the peninsula and the region, KEI is hosting Markus Garlauskas and Jessica Lee for a discussion on the theories underlying the proposal and its prospective ramifications. The event will be livestreamed via Zoom and on KEI’s YouTube channel. RSVP to receive the links to both. Please send any questions for the panels to Yong Kwon at [email protected] by Monday, July 26, 2021.
Register here: https://share.hsforms.com/1lRLpNL-BSDOwVm72RYXq8A2ztzy
Speakers
Markus Garlauskas, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council
Jessica Lee, Senior Research Fellow, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
Moderated by
Yong Kwon, Director of Communications, Korea Economic Institute of America