청 "No Specific Timing or Occasion for Declaration of End of War... Various Opinions in US Congress"

The view of Cheongwadae from Namsan, Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid concerns that the 'End-of-War Declaration scenario' is being shaken due to the U.S. boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Blue House stated, "We are not pursuing the End-of-War Declaration with any specific timing or occasion." Regarding the letter opposing the End-of-War Declaration sent by 35 U.S. Republican lawmakers, the Blue House responded, "There are various opinions within the Congress."

A Blue House official met with reporters on the afternoon of the 8th and said, "There is no direct relationship between the End-of-War Declaration and the Beijing Olympics."

The official explained, "We hope that Beijing will serve as an opportunity to improve inter-Korean relations and advance the peace process on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "We hope to promptly promote the End-of-War Declaration to build trust among the parties involved and achieve progress in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula."

When asked by reporters whether the absence of a specific timing or occasion for the End-of-War Declaration means difficulties in its promotion, the official replied, "The End-of-War Declaration is being coordinated mainly through consultations between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the wording, timing, participants, and various other matters. The key issue is how North Korea will respond to this. At this stage, we are not making any presumptions about the direction."

However, the official added that since the two Koreas have already agreed to promote the End-of-War Declaration at the summit level through the October 4, 2007 Declaration and the April 27, 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, they expect a positive response from North Korea.

Regarding the signature campaign by 35 U.S. Republican lawmakers opposing the promotion of the End-of-War Declaration, the official said, "There are also various opinions among U.S. lawmakers on the End-of-War Declaration," citing as examples the peace bill on the Korean Peninsula introduced by Representative Brad Sherman last May, which urged diplomatic engagement with North Korea including the End-of-War Declaration, and the letter sent last November by Sherman and other Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives to President Biden, urging the swift resumption of North Korea-U.S. talks and the End-of-War Declaration.

The official explained, "South Korea and the U.S. are pursuing serious consultations regarding the promotion of the End-of-War Declaration," and added, "Our government will continue efforts to enhance understanding among the U.S. political circles while maintaining close communication with the U.S. Congress."