South Korea's President Moon Jae-in has called for a "peace declaration" to officially end the Korean War, which technically remains ongoing since it ended in 1953 with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. Moon proposed the declaration during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 21, 2021.
Moon stated that the declaration would be a "first step" towards establishing a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, which has been divided between North and South Korea since the end of World War II. He also emphasized the importance of dialogue and engagement between North Korea and the international community in achieving this goal.
Moon's proposal comes as tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising in recent months. In March 2021, North Korea launched several missiles into the sea, which led to condemnations from South Korea and other countries. In August 2021, North Korea reportedly tested long-range cruise missiles, which South Korea described as a "threat to regional peace."
Despite these developments, Moon has continued to advocate for engagement with North Korea. In his UN speech, he stated that "peace on the Korean Peninsula cannot be achieved by sanctions and pressure alone," and that a "new approach" was needed to resolve the long-standing conflict.
Moon's proposal for a peace declaration has received mixed reactions from the international community. Some countries, including China and Russia, have expressed support for the idea, while others, such as the United States and Japan, have raised concerns about the potential impact on regional security.
Overall, Moon's proposal highlights the ongoing tensions and complexities of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and the need for continued dialogue and engagement in pursuit of a lasting peace