Peace Agreement Suggested by North Korea

Peace Agreement Suggested by North Korea

[1975]

1. Overview

1. The Beginning of Peace Agreement Suggestions

At the Geneva Conference in June 1954, North Korea first suggested that we turn from armistice status to peace-treaty status and reduce the size of both sides’ armed forces (100 thousand each). Since then, North Korea suggested a Nonaggression Peace Agreement Treaty, which takes the withdrawal of the American Army as a precondition, at the joint meeting of the Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium, the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland Central Committee, and the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland. North Korea has argued for a peace agreement between South and North Korea ([which includes a] withdrawal of the American Army, reduction of 100 thousand armed forces each by the South and the North) as a part of ensuring peaceful reunification.

1. Interruption in Suggesting Peace Agreement

Between 1964 and the end of 1969, North Korea did not officially mention a peace agreement or [a proposal for] peaceful reunification. We observe that North Korea has prepared for a war during this period.

1. Re-discussion of Peace Agreement

In a memorandum submitted to the United Nations in October 1969, North Korea argued for a peace agreement between North and South Korea. North Korea again brought up the issues of the withdrawal of the U.S. Army and mutual reduction of armed forces through the Minister of Foreign Affairs Heo Dam’s suggestion (8 Points) in March 1971. Furthermore, the country has argued for a peace agreement between the South and North (ceasing the competition in military spending, withdrawal of foreign military, mutual reduction of 100 thousand armed forces, discontinuing the induction of weapons) at the second meeting of the Fifth Supreme People’s Assembly in April 1973.

1. Change in the Communist Party to Conclude the Peace Treaty with (Peace Agreement with the U.S.)

Heo Dam’s Report at the third meeting of the Fifth Supreme People’s Assembly on March 25th, 1974, suggested achieving a peace treaty with the United States directly. Since then, the peace treaty to be directly concluded with the United States is mentioned as a “peace agreement” between the so-called “real parties” at the United Nations General Assembly in 1974 and 1975 as well as at non-alliance meetings at each level after 1976.