Peace deal emerges as key agenda of inter-Korean summit

Apr 19, 2018, 10:11 am

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The "declaration of ending war" between the two Koreas is rapidly emerging as one of the primary agenda items of inter-Korean and North-US summit talks along with denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In the meantime, the possibility of holding trilateral talks among South and North Korea and the United States is rising in order to discuss concrete measures to end Korean war./ Source: Yonhap News

By AsiaToday reporter Joo Sung-sik

The "declaration of ending war" between the two Koreas has rapidly emerged as one of the primary agenda items of the upcoming inter-Korean and North-US summit talks along with denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. As a result, many expect that there will be comprehensive discussion on the denuclearization and declaration of official end to war during the inter-Korean summit, and that the North-US summit scheduled in May will draw specific measures in order to achieve them.

Besides, the extent to which the United States will accept the conditions North Korea demands will be discussed in depth among the parties after the establishment of a North Korea-US agreement on denuclearization. In addition, it is noteworthy whether the agenda of regular inter-Korean summit meeting will reach consensus.

"We are reviewing the possibility of turning the system of an armistice on the Korean Peninsula to a system of peace," a senior Cheong Wa Dae official said on Wednesday. It seems that the Cheong Wa Dae confirmed U.S. President Donald Trump's remark on Tuesday on ending the Korean war.

According to CNN and other foreign reports, US President Donald Trump mentioned the peace deal discussion between the two Koreas in a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday. "People don't realize Korean War has not ended. It's going on right now. And they are discussing an end to the war. They do have my blessing to discuss the end to the war," Trump said.

However, the declaration of the end of war by switching to the system of peace is likely to be implemented after a comprehensive agreement is reached at the inter-Korean summit and a more concrete plan is set up at the North Korea-US summit. Of course, the declaration of the end of war might be made at a trilateral summit meeting where the heads of relevant countries would meet.

One of the key agendas is also expected to be the extent to which the U.S. will accept the demands that North Korea proposes. Chief of the National Security Office Chung Eui-yong briefed the press on his meeting with U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton on Wednesday. He said the two "discussed, in depth, ways to address concerns North Korea may have, and to ensure a bright future to North Korea if it makes the right decision."

In addition, there is interest in whether the two Koreas could meet on a regular basis could be discussed at the inter-Korean talks on April 27. Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok told reporters Tuesday, "If the summit produces good results, both sides could meet in Panmunjom on a regular basis."

#peace treaty #inter-Korean summit #agenda #Korean war #Donald Trump