2018 Annual Consultations of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) Member States in New York

The NNSC was established 65 years ago through the Armistice Agreement of 27 July 1953, which is still the only legal instrument for the avoidance of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula. As long as this Agreement is not superseded by a comprehensive peace treaty, the role of the NNSC remains important in maintaining the military armistice and promoting transparency and confidence on both sides of the demarcation line.

During the discussions, there was a special focus on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. The high-level summits with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that have taken place in the past weeks and the prospect of more in the coming weeks are encouraging. For the first time in many years, inter-Korean dialogue is showing signs of progress, as exemplified by the participation of DPRK’s delegation in the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang (Republic of Korea) last February. Nonetheless, NNSC Member States underscored the need for all parties to continue to abstain from actions that risk once again increasing tensions in the region and to undertake concrete measures to further build confidence and trust on the Peninsula.

NNSC Member States expressed their continued support for all efforts aimed at achieving a negotiated and sustainable solution on the Peninsula that addresses the concerns of all actors. They discussed the prospect of reinstating a dialogue or other initiatives for dialogue among the involved parties and the possible role of the NNSC in this process. NNSC Member States also reaffirmed that denuclearisation must be achieved and reiterated that the only way to bring about lasting stability in the region is to establish a permanent peace arrangement on the Peninsula.

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