December 07, 2023
Columns

Don’t believe the hype: An end-of-war declaration won’t change a thing

Multiple inter-Korean agreements since the 1990s have promised breakthroughs but failed to deliver

In his most recent address to the U.N. General Assembly, South Korean President Moon Jae-in tried, among other things, to sell the idea of an end-of-war (EOW) declaration between the two Koreas. 

As soon as he delivered the speech, all available South Korean diplomatic forces seemed to converge on the EOW issue. High-level diplomats, assorted dignitaries, even pro-government academics began to frequent those foreign capitals and embassies whose support was vital for any declaration.