Possible End to the Korean War

Both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have been at war since 1950. Although the Armistice Agreement of July 27, 1953 ended open hostilities, it was merely a military withdrawal and repatriation of prisoners; neither nation signed a treaty of peace. After 57 years, there is a resurgent hope the war may be officially ended. In a historic gesture, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun walked across the DMZ into Pyongyang to meet personally with Kim Jong-il. Following the successful negotiation of the Yongbyon nuclear facility shutdown, the two leaders have pledged to make political headway towards formally ending the war between the Koreas. President Roh commented about his crossing of the DMZ, "After I'm back, I hope that more people will follow suit, and then this forbidden line will eventually be erased."