Korean Armistice Agreement
Panmunjom, Korean Demilitarized Zone
What happened
Military commanders of the United Nations Command, the Korean People's Army of North Korea and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army; the document was signed by William K. Harrison Jr. and Nam Il. During the Korean War, the two sides held peace talks for about two years. On 27 July 1953 they signed an armistice at the village of Panmunjom. It stopped the fighting, created a demilitarised zone about 4 km wide across Korea, and arranged the exchange of prisoners.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the fighting of the Korean War, but it was a ceasefire, not a peace treaty. No peace treaty has ever been signed, so the armistice still keeps the ceasefire today.
What came next
In 1996 the UN Security Council called for the armistice to be fully observed until a peace agreement replaces it.
Did you know?
The building where the armistice was signed still stands; North Korea has renamed it the Peace Museum.
Timeline
- 10 July 1951Armistice talks begin.
- 27 July 1953The armistice is signed at Panmunjom.
- 1996The UN Security Council urges full respect for the armistice.