| Date |
Process |
| October 1950 |
13 countries submit Armistice plans and committee bills to bring an Armistice to end the Korean War.
1. direct stop of war
2. measures for permanant peace after war
3. withdrawal of foreign armies at an adequate time
4. inspection of the ROK Government during peace time
5. cooperation between the US and the Soviet Union for solving conflicts in East Asia
* Due to opposition from the Soviet Union and the Chinese Forces concerning these issues, the initial attempt for an
Armistice agreement came to a failure. |
| May 1951 |
- After the takeover of Seoul (March 16, 1951) the US government and the Department of Defense
officially mentioned a cease-fire.
- President Truman announced the statement of cease-fire after considering opinions from the UN.
- President Lee Seung Man opposed a cease-fire. |
| June 1951 |
- UN Delegate of the Soviet Union also proposed Armistice.
- President Lee Seung Man and the Korean Parliament disagreed with Armistice occurring at the 38th Parallel. |
| July 1951 |
- After revision from both sides (UN, Communists), a pre-meeting was held
- On July 10, 1951, the first Armistice Conference was held in Gaeseong
* Whereas the UN focused on Armistice and rebuilding after the war, the Communist side focused on the
issue of withdrawal of all foreign armies from the Korean peninsula, military demarcating the 38th Parallel,
and other political issues. |
| October 1951 |
- As the UN suggested moving the conference location, the Soviet Union proposed Panmunjeom.
- After meetings between liason officers near the area, Panmunjeom became the new location for the conference.
* The actual name for Panmunjeom was "Neomunli," but with intent to express it in the Chinese language, it was named Panmunjeom. |
| November 1951 |
At the joint commission, the delegates of both sides agreed to set the current line (the 38th Parallel)
as the MDL and put an end to war. As a result of this agreement, Gaeseong and part of Jangdan Field was included
into the Communist area. |
| December 1951 |
Problems mentioned relating the release of POWs
UN: Release of all POWs from both sides
Communist: Exchange all POWs from both sides
-->If the POWs were to be repatriated in a free manner, the Communists were worried they would all surrender to the UN side,
so the Communists insisted on exchanging all POWS from both sides. |
| December 1952 |
The UN passed a bill relating the solution of POWs (54 agreed, 5 disagreed)
* major points
- A Neutral Nations Supervision Committee for Repatriation of POWs was formed consisting of delegates from 4 countries
(Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Poland)
- Prohibition of rejecting release of POWs or any actions against POWs' will
- All POWs should be taken to the DMZ and handed over to the commission
- POWs who reject exchange would be discussed after 90 days of the Armistice |
| May 1953 |
The results of the exchange
- UN received: 784 POWs
- The North received: 663 POWs |
| July 1953 |
The Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command; the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, Kim Il Sung;
and the Commander of the Chinese People's volunteers signed the Military Armistice Agreement for the Korean War. |
