Koreas settle differences

As of April 18, North and South Korea have come together in order to discuss a treaty to formally end the Korean War. For over 60 years the U.S. and South Korea have tried to peacefully ask North Korea to disarm their nuclear weapons. South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s leader, in person for the first time as the North decided they were willing to give up their nuclear arms if they received security guarantees.

Although the conflict is mainly between the Korea’s, China and the U.S are also heavily involved. In 1953 the Korean War was halted with a truce, never formally ending. During that time China fought on the North’s side and the U.S fought on the South’s. Due to their involvement signatures are also required from U.S and Chinese Leaders to formally establish a treaty of peace.

China has claimed to want a positive role in the treaty as long as the U.S recognizes North Korea and some form of trust is established. Before China signs they have some conditions they want to be met. Some analysts in South Korea have suggested that Jae-in and Jong-un could agree to withdraw weapons and troops from the 2.5-mile-wide Demilitarized Zone. The Demilitarized Zone is the area that divides the Korea’s and has troops from both sides positioned. In the past, the North’s conditions for its denuclearization have included the withdrawal of the 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea, which was rejected immediately. Recently, Jong-un has admitted to being more flexible with the presence of the American troops so long as his country no longer feels threatened by it.

Another turn of events that may take place is a partial withdrawal, when the U.S. recalls a large sum of their troops. If this happens, then South Korea would become slightly less advantageous and China would have a huge win. In Asia no matter the outcome there will be a huge change in American military presence within the next few years.