Former USFK Commander: "To Declare End of War, North Korean Troops and Weapons Must Withdraw First"

"Artillery and missile forces deployed in the DMZ must be removed first"
"The US should retain wartime operational control as long as North Korea possesses nuclear weapons"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Former U.S. Forces Korea Commander Burwell Bell argued that for President Moon Jae-in to actively pursue discussions on a declaration of the end of the Korean War, North Korea must first withdraw the troops and weapons it has forward-deployed targeting South Korea. He emphasized that unless North Korea implements such a change in attitude and a definite withdrawal, the focus should be on strengthening deterrence against North Korean provocations rather than on a declaration of the end of the war.

On the 24th, in an interview with Voice of America (VOA), former Commander Bell stated, "To declare the end of the war, North Korea must first remove its artillery and missile capabilities deployed north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that are aimed at Seoul and northern South Korean cities, and must pull back the artillery far beyond their effective range." He added, "Furthermore, North Korea must withdraw the large-scale forward-deployed troops, ammunition, and other military supplies near the DMZ to make a surprise ground attack on South Korea impossible."

He argued that until North Korea agrees to and actually implements these two conditions, the declaration of the end of the Korean War should not be mentioned. Former Commander Bell pointed out, "Even if North Korea fulfills the conditions and dialogue begins, the wartime operational control should remain with the United States as long as North Korea possesses nuclear weapons." He also noted, "North Korea currently has no interest in a declaration of the end of the war and is only focused on threats, provocations, and readiness for full-scale war against South Korea." He emphasized, "At present, only strengthening deterrence through military power can suppress North Korean provocations."

VOA also reported criticism that peace discussions on the Korean Peninsula by South Korea alone are meaningless amid the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. Victor Cha, Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said in an interview with VOA on the same day, "It is contradictory for President Moon Jae-in’s speech to focus on peace between North and South Korea while the U.S. and Chinese leaders are confronting each other," and questioned, "How can peace on the Korean Peninsula be possible without cooperation between the U.S. and China?"