Concept in Definition ABC

Between the two Koreas there is no peace, what there is is an armistice. But what exactly does it consist of, and how does it differ from a peace agreement? An armistice is an agreement signed between two or more parties for the suspension of armed hostilities, but it does not necessarily mean the absolute end of these.

The signatory parties maintain the state of war between the two, but suspend hostilities indefinitely.

It must be recognized and signed between the warring parties (be three or more), and is normally indefinite (although may be limited in time), which differentiates it from a ceasefire, a formula that can be adopted from shape unilateral by one of the parties, and despite being indefinite, usually has an "expiration".

It can be both global, on all war fronts, and local, in a specific area, and it can be motivated by various causes.

Among the reasons that have historically led to the armistices, we have the exhaustion of the different opposing sides (military and / or human), or problems of another nature that affect one or another contestant or both of them.

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Thus, in the aforementioned armistice between the two Koreas, this was due to a "technical tie" in hostilities, which led both contending sides (North Korea, China and the USSR on the one hand, and South Korea, the United States and a coalition international on the other) to consider that they could not win and that they risked suffering serious human and material losses.

An armistice does not end an armed conflict, it is only a temporary pause, generally of an indefinite nature, but it is still a period and followed.

Of course, generally (although not in all cases), the armistice is proposed to address the talks about the signing of peace, which is what really puts an end to a conflict.

That is why, between the two Koreas, a state of war continues, because what was signed in 1953 was an armistice, and not a peace treaty.

However, the fact that it is an armistice does not explain that there have been armed incidents between the two Koreas, such as the exchange of artillery fire, since ...

According to international law, when an armistice is in force, any armed action by the signatory parties is prohibited.

In case one of the sides breaks the conditions and attacks the other, either an offensive generalized or with localized incidents, the affected side can report the facts, which constitute reason to invalidate it and resume hostilities.

Likewise, if at any given moment one or all of the belligerent parties want to resume the fight, they can do so legally, but notifying other contenders, since otherwise (a surprise attack) would be considered a flagrant violation of the conditions of the armistice and the legality international, which would lead to sanctions by the organisms international (such as the United Nations).

Photos: Fotolia - Sergio J Lievano / Alexander Sobolev