2017 Joint Statement by Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission Member States

Representatives of Poland, Sweden and Switzerland, Member States of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) in Korea, met in Warsaw on the 19-20 of June 2017 for their annual consultations. The discussion focused on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and its impact on the activities of the NNSC. The representatives also evaluated the operational tasks of the NNSC and reaffirmed their long-term commitment to contribute to a permanent peace solution on the Korean Peninsula.

The NNSC was established 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 As long as this Agreement is not superseded by a comprehensive peace treaty, the role of the NNSC remains important in maintaining the military armistice as well as in promoting transparency and confidence on both sides of the demarcation line.

The representatives of NNSC Member States discussed the implications of the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula on NNSC activities. A special focus was laid on recent tensions implying a significant amount of NNSC activities, the nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the lack of progress in the inter-Korean dialogue. NNSC Member States underlined the need for all parties to abstain from actions that risk increasing tensions in the region and to undertake concrete measures to build confidence and trust on the peninsula.

NNSC Member States expressed their continued support for all efforts aimed at achieving a negotiated and sustainable solution on the Peninsula that addresses concerns of all stakeholders. They discussed the perspectives for the reinstating of a dialogue, for example within the framework of the Six Party Talks or other initiatives for dialogue among the involved parties and the possible role of the NNSC in this process. NNSC Member States also reaffirmed that denuclearization must be achieved and reiterated that the only way to bring about lasting stability in the region is by establishing a permanent peace arrangement on the peninsula.