Bern, Press releases, 19.04.2012

Representatives of Poland, Sweden and Switzerland, Member States of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) in Korea, met in Seoul on the 18th and 19th of April 2012 for their yearly consultations. Discussions focused on current tasks of the NNSC and recent developments on the Korean Peninsula. The NNSC Member States reasserted their long-term commitment to contribute to a permanent peace solution on the Korean Peninsula.

The NNSC was established 59 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 As long as this Agreement is not superseded by a comprehensive peace treaty, the role of the NNSC remains important in maintaining stability, providing channels of communication and promoting confidence on both sides of the demarcation line.

The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains a matter of concern to the international community, not only with respect to regional security and arms control, but also with regard to the humanitarian and human rights situation.

The representatives of the NNSC discussed the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula, including the launch of a satellite using ballistic missile technology on 13 April 2012 by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1718 of 2006 and 1874 of 2009. They underlined the need for all sides to abstain from actions likely to increase tensions in the region.

Furthermore, Switzerland, Sweden and Poland expressed their continued support for all genuine efforts aimed at achieving a negotiated and sustainable solution on the Peninsula that addresses concerns of all parties involved. They reaffirmed their strong support for the currently suspended Six Party Talks, involving the People’s Republic of China, Japan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States of America. The NNSC Members expressed their hope for an early resumption of this process and reaffirmed that denuclearization must be achieved. Nearly sixty years after the Armistice Agreement of 1953, they reiterated that the only way to bring about lasting stability in the region is by establishing a permanent peace arrangement on the Peninsula.


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