Koreans should find the path to peace

The 70th anniversary of the Armistice Korean War observed on 27 July should have been an occasion for all involved parties to express a higher commitment to peace. However, the grim realities of the region were reflected more in increasing tensions than in better prospects for peace. Just a little before this anniversary, a nuclear-powered submarine of the USA reached South Korea and in response North Korea fired ballistic missiles into the sea. This came on top of growing nuclear weapon related escalations of recent times.

- BHARAT DOGRA

All this is certainly not what it should be. The 70th Armistice anniversary should have been a time for taking the peace process forward, not backward. In fact the peace process initiated to end the Korean War of 1950-53, was left half-complete as only an armistice was signed, and not a peace treaty. The follow-up in the form of a comprehensive peace treaty never took place, and instead what one actually saw were several violations of the armistice. The situation became more serious after North Korea acquired nuclear weapons and delivery systems. With this the prospects of the Korea region again becoming the flashpoint of a much bigger conflict involving big power rivalry increased.

Such a situation becomes most dangerous from the point of view of the peace and safety of the people of Korea, as they have learnt from past experience. After living together as one country for centuries, the Korean people have faced increasing strains for over a century. In 1910 Korea was annexed by an increasingly aggressive Japan. With World War II ending in the defeat of Japan, the Korean people had expected a return of freedom and peace.

Instead as American and Soviet armies entered different parts of the country, the people got divided into South and North Korea.