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“The two leaders solemnly declared before 80 million Korean people and the whole world that there will be no more war on the Korean Peninsula and thus a new era of peace has begun,” reads part of a peace declaration signed by North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in during their history-making meeting April 27.

An armistice agreement in 1953 ended the Korean War, which had started in 1950. The old agreement formally separated North and South Korea. While that agreement ended the violence of war, it fell short of a peace treaty.

The United States is a strong supporter of South Korea, and about 29,000 American military personnel are stationed there to help defend it. In recent years, tensions between North Korea and the United States have reached a boiling point with North Korea developing nuclear weapons and long-range rockets that can carry them to targets in South Korea, Japan and even the United States.

To pressure North Korea to end its nuclear program, the United States, in concert with other world powers, increased economic sanctions. Still Kim remained DEFIANT and threats between North Korea and the United States continued. 

Fortunately, diplomatic efforts led to a dramatic and positive change, and the two Korean leaders met, starting with a warm handshake and steps onto each other’s side of the border.

The peace declaration, which is vague, has a goal of a nuclear-free, more unified Korea. But the signed document is more of an outline and doesn’t say how the goals will be reached, leaving the 1953 armistice in force until all parties, including the United States, sign off on a true peace treaty.

Could this be the start of peace? President Donald Trump is going to meet with Kim in hopes of making more progress.

Edition: 
Phoenix
Tucson
Issue: 
May 2018