North Korea refuses calls for formal end to Korean War

North Korea is refusing to agree to a formal end to the Korean War, which was ended in 1952 with an armistice but not a formal treaty.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in told the United Nations Tuesday and reiterated in the U.S. Wednesday his desire for an official end to the Korean War.

“At the U.N. General Assembly [Tuesday], I proposed that the relevant parties gather together and proclaim an end to the Korean War, creating a new chapter of reconciliation and cooperation,” Moon said Wednesday in the U.S.

“An end-of-war declaration will give new hope and courage to everyone around the world aspiring for peace beyond the Korean Peninsula,” he added.

Vice Foreign Minister Ri Thae Song said North Korea will not agree to an official end to the war until the U.S. stops its “hostile policy” towards the county, state media KNCA reported, according to Reuters. 

“Nothing will change as long as the political circumstances around the DPRK remains unchanged and the U.S. hostile policy is not shifted, although the termination of the war is declared hundreds of times,” Ri said. DPRK refers to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the country’s official name. 

“The U.S. withdrawal of its double-standards and hostile policy is the top priority in stabilizing the situation of the Korean peninsula and ensuring peace on it,” he added. 

North Korea has continued to build new missile systems such as the “railway-borne” system and has not engaged in talks with the U.S. 

Moon told reporters said he believes North Korea will come to the table and talk with the U.S. in the future, according to Reuters. 

“It seems that North Korea is still weighing options while keeping the door open for talks, since it is only raising tension at a low level, just enough for the U.S. to not break off all contact,” he said.