On 27 July we remember the signing of the Korean War armistice in 1953. While the armistice silenced the guns and brought an end to three years of armed conflict, it did not end the war, and to this day the parties to this conflict have not reached a peace agreement. It is estimated that the war has produced at least 2.5 million deaths, including civilians and soldiers from 22 countries. Today the Korean peninsula and many families remain separated between north and south. This year tensions have worsened with the constant threat that this friction could escalate into a nuclear conflict. In this context, QUNO NY is working with partners to highlight alternative avenues for peace on the peninsula which focus on dialogue and trust-building. 

To mark this year’s anniversary, QUNO NY, as a core member of the Non-governmental Working Group on Korea, co-hosted the launch of the book Beyond the Armistice: Efforts for Peace on the Korean Peninsula published by our colleagues at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS). In her introduction to the book, Executive Director of CPCS Nikki Singer reflected that the inspiration for the book was the hope for peace found in the many incredible, dedicated, creative people who have committed their lives to working for a solution to the Korean War. Beyond the Armistice compiles interviews from different countries, sectors, and generations to shed light on the complexity of current tensions where the unresolved Korean War has caused structural injustices that sustain a system of division and play a significant role in rising hostilities on the peninsula and beyond.   

During the event we heard from two contributors to the book: Doug Hostetter, Member of the Pax Christi International UN Advocacy Team and former Director of the Mennonite Central Committee United Nations Office, and Linda Lewis, Former DPRK Program Director for the American Friends Service Committee. Doug and Linda shared their experiences of work with partners from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea). We also heard from Frank Aum who serves as the Senior Expert, Northeast Asia at the US Institute of Peace, and who reflected on the importance of remembering the Korean War armistice as a meaningful diplomatic agreement that brought about real change. Frank spoke of the potential of trust-building diplomatic actions, which gradually reduce tensions, in guiding towards the enhancement of peace and stability on the peninsula.  

QUNO’s remembrance efforts were deepened by selected pieces from the Drawing Hope art exhibition for Peace on the Korean peninsula. This project promotes the peaceful encounter of children from North Korea, South Korea, and the U.S. through the sharing of artwork.  

QUNO NY will continue to work with ecumenical partners at the UN and with AFSC, which sustains its long-term programming on the Korean Peninsula, to uplift the voices calling for urgent engagement and dialogue that will pave the way for a durable peace on the Korean peninsula.