● Armistice Agreement (July 27, 1953)
TEXT OF AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIFF, UNITED NATIONS
COMMAND, ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE
KOREAN PEOPLE’S ARMY AND THE COMMANDER OF THE CHINESE
PEOPLE’S VOLUNTEERS, ON THE OTHER HAND, CONCERNING A
MILITARY ARMISTICE IN KOREA.
PREAMBLE
The undersigned, the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command,
on the on hand, and the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s
Army and the Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers,
on the other hand, in the interest of stopping the Korean
conflict, with its great toll of suffering and bloodshed on
both sides, and with the objective of establishing an armistice
which will insure a complete cessation of hostilities and
of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful
settlement is achieved, do individually, collectively, and
mutually agree to accept and to be bound and governed by the
conditions and terms of armistice set forth in the following
Articles and paragraphs, which said conditions and terms are
intended to be purely military in character and to pertain
solely to the belligerents in Korea.
Article 1
MILITARY DEMARCATION LINE AND DEMILITARIZED ZONE
1. A Military Demarcation Line shall be fixed and sides shall
withdraw two (2) kilometers from this line so as to establish
a Demilitarized Zone between the opposing forces. A Demliltarized
Zone shall be established as a buffer zone to prevent the
occurrence of incidents which might lead to a resumption of
hostilities.
2. The Military Demarcation Line is located as indicated on
the attached map (Map 1).
3. The Demilitarized Zone is defined by a northern and a southern
boundary as indicated on the attached map (Map 1)
4. The Military Demarcation Line shall be plainly marked as
directed by the Military Armistice Commission hereinafter
established. The Commanders of the opposing sides shall have
suitable makers erected along the boundary between the Demilitarized
Zone and their respective areas. The Military Armistice Commission
shall supervise the erection of all markers placed along the
Military Demarcation Line and along the boundaries of the
Demilitarized Zone.
5. The waters of the Han River Estuary shall be open to civil
shipping of both sides wherever one bank is controlled by
one side and the other bank is controlled by the other side.
The Military Armistice Commission shall prescribe rules for
the shipping in that part of the Han river Estuary indicated
on the attached map (Map 2). Civil shipping of each side shall
have unrestricted access to the land under the military control
of that side.
6. Neither side shall execute any hostile act within, from,
or against the Demilitarized Zone.
7. No person, military or civilian, shall be permitted to
cross the Military Demarcation line unless specifically authorized
to do so by the Military Armistice.
8. No person, military or civilian, in the Demilitarized Zone
shall be permitted to enter the territory under the military
control of either side unless specifically authorized to do
so by the Commander into whose territory entry is sought.
9. No person, military or civilian, shall be permitted to
enter the Demilitarized Zone except persons concerned with
the conduct of civil administration and relief and persons
specifically authorized to enter by the Military Armistice
Commission.
10. Civil adminstration and relief in that part of the Demilitarized
Zone which is south of the Military Demarcation Line shall
be the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations
Command; and civil administration and relief in that part
of the Demilitarized Zone which is north of the Military Demarcation
Line shall be the joint responsibility of the Supreme Commander
of the Korean People’s army and the Commander of the
Chinese People’s Volunteers. The number of persons,
military or civilian, from each side who are permitted to
enter the demilitarized Zone for the conduct of civil adminstration
and relief shall be as determined by the respective Commanders,
but in no case shall the total number authorized by either
side exceed one thousand (1,000) persons at any one time.
The number of civil police and the arms to be carried by them
shall be as prescribed by the Military Armistice Commission.
Other personnel shall not carry arms unless specifically authorized
to do so by the Military Armistice Commission.
11. Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed to
prevent the complete freedom of movement to, from, and within
the Demilitarized Zone by the Military Armistice Commission,
its assistants, its joint Observer Teams with their assistants,
the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission hereinafter established,
its assistants, its Neutral Nations Inspection teams with
their assistants, and of any other persons. Materials, and
equipment specifically authorized to enter the Demilitarized
Zone by the Military Armistice Commission. Convenience of
movement shall be permitted through the territory under the
military control of either side over any route necessary to
move between points within the Demilitarized Zone where such
points are not connected by roads lying completely within
the Demilitarized Zone.
ARTICLE 2
CONCRETE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CEASE-FIRE AND ARMISTICE
A. General
12. The Commanders of the opposing sides shall order and
enforce a complete cessation of all hostilities in Korea by
all armed forces under their control, including all units
and personnel of the ground, naval, and air force, effective
twelve (12) hours after this Armistice Agreement is signed.
(See Paragraph 63 hereof for effective date and hour of the
remaining provisions of this Armistice Agreement.)
13. In order to insure the stability of the Military Armistice
so as to facilitate the attainment of a peaceful settlement
through the holding by both sides of a political conference
of a higher level, the Commanders of the opposing sides shall:
a) Within seventy-two (72) hours after this Armistice Agreement
becomes effective, withdraw all of their military forces,
supplies, and equipment from the Demilitarized Zone except
as otherwise provided herein. All demolitions, minefields,
wire entanglements, and other hazards to the safe movement
of personnel of the Military Armistice Commission or its Joint
Teams, known to exist within the Demilitarized Zone after
the withdrawal of military forces therefrom, together with
lanes known to be fee of all such hazards, shall be reported
to the Military Armistice Commission by the Commander of the
side whose force emplaced such hazards. Subsequently, additional
safe lanes shall be cleared; and eventually, within forty-five
days after the termination of the seventy-two(72) hour period,
all such hazards shall be removed from the Demilitarized Zone
as directed by and under the supervision of the Military Armistice
Commission. At the termination of the seventy-two (72) hour
period, except for unarmed troops authorized a forty-five
(45) day period to complete salvage operations under Military
Armistice Commission supervision, such until of a police nature
as may be specifically requested by Military Armistice Commission
and agreed to by the Commanders of the opposing sides, and
personnel authorized under Paragraphs 10 and 11 hereof, no
personnel of either side shall be permitted to enter the Demilitarized
Zone.
b) Within ten (10) days after this Armistice Agreement becomes
effective, withdraw all of their military forces, supplies,
and equipment from the real and the coastal islands and waters
of Korea of the other side. If such military forces are not
withdrawn within the stated time limit, and there is no mutually
agreed and valid reason for the delay, the other side shall
have the right to take any action which it deems necessary
for the maintenance of security and order. The term ‘coastal
islands’. As used above, refers to those islands which,
though occupied by one side at the time when this Armistice
Agreement becomes effective, were controlled by the other
side on 24th June 1950 ; provided, however, that all the islands
lying to the north and west of the provincial boundary line
between HWANG-HAE-DO and KYONGGI-DO shall be under the military
control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s
Army and the Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers,
except the island groups of PAENGYONG-DO(37?58’N, 124?40’E),
TAECHONG-DO(37?50’, 124?42E), SOCHONG-DO(37?46’N,
124?46’E), YONPYONG-DO(37?38’N, 125?40’E),
and U-DO(37?36’N, 125?58’E), which shall remain
under the military control of the commander-in-Chief, United
Nations Command. All the islands on the west coast of Korea
lying south of the above-mentioned boundary line shall remain
under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief, United
Nations Command. (See Map 3.)
c) Cease the introduction into Korea of reinforcing military
personnel ; provided, however, that the rotation of units
and personnel, the arrival in Korea of personnel on a temporary
duty basis, and the return to Korea of personnel after short
periods of leave or temporary duty outside of Korea shall
be permitted within the scope pre scribed below. “Rotaton”
is defined as the replacement of units or personnel by other
units or personnel who are commencing a tour of duty in Korea.
Rotation personnel shall be introduced into and evacuated
from Korea only through the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph
43 hereof. Rotation shall be conducted on a man-for-man basis
; provided, however, that no more than thirty-five thousand
(35,000) persons in the military service shall be admitted
into Korea by either side in any calendar month under the
rotation policy. No military personnel of either side shall
be introduced into Korea if the introduction of such personnel
will cause the aggregate of the military personnel of that
side admitted into Korea since the effective date of this
Armistice Agreement to exceed the cumulative total of the
military personnel of that side who have departed from Korea
since that date. Reports concerning arrivals in and departures
from Korea of military personnel shall be made daily to the
Military Armistice Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory
Commission ; such reports shall include places of arrival
and the number of persons arriving at or departing from each
such place. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, through
its Neutral Nations Inspection Teams, shall conduct supervision
and inspection of the rotation of units and personnel authorized
above, at the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof.
d) Cease the introduction into Korea of reinforcing combat
aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons, and ammunition; provided,
however, that combat aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons,
and ammunition which are destroyed, damaged, worn out, or
used up during the period of the armistice may be replaced
on the basis of piece-for-piece of the same effectiveness
and the same type. Such combat aircraft, armoured vehicles,
weapons, and ammunition shall be introduced into Korea only
through the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof.
In order to justify the requirement for combat aircraft, armoured
vehicles, weapons, and ammunition to be introduced into Korea
for replacement purposes, reports concerning every incoming
shipment of these items shall be made to the Military Armistice
Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
; such reports shall include statements regarding the disposition
of the items being replaced. Items to be replaced which are
removed from Korea shall be removed only through the ports
of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof. The Neutral Nations
Supervisory Commission, through its Neutral Nations Inspection
Teams, shall conduct supervision and inspection of the replacement
of combat aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons, and ammunition
authorized above, at the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph
43 hereof.
e) Insure that personnel of their respective commands who
violate any of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement
are adequately punished.
f) In those cases where places of burial are a matter of record
and graves are actually found to exist, permit graves registration
personnel of the other side to enter, within a definite time
limit after this Armistice Agreement becomes effective, the
territory of Korea under their military control, for the purpose
of proceeding to such graves to recover and evacuate the bodies
of the deceased military personnel of that side, including
deceased prisoners of war. The specific procedures and the
time limit for the performance of the above task shall be
determined by the Military Armistice Commission. The Commanders
of opposing sides shall furnish to the other side all available
information pertaining to the places of burial of deceased
military personnel of the other side.
g) Afford full protection and all possible assistance and
cooperation to the Military Armistice Commission, its Joint
Observer Teams, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission,
and its Neutral Nations Inspection Teams, in the carrying
out of their functions and responsibilities hereinafter assigned
; and accord to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission,
and to its Neutral Nations Inspection Teams, full convenience
of movement between the headquarters of the Neutral Nations
Supervisory Commission and ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph
43 hereof over main lines of communication agreed upon by
both sides, (See Map 4.) and between the headquarters of the
Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and the places where
violations of this Armistice Agreement have been reported
to have occurred. In order to prevent unnecessary delays,
the se of alternate routes and means of transportation will
be permitted whenever the main lines of communication are
closed or impassable.
h) Provide such logistic support, including communications
and transportation facilities, as may be required by the Military
Armistice Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
and their Teams.
i) Each construct, operate, and maintain a suitable airfield
in their respective ports of the Demilitarized Zone in the
vicinity of the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission,
for such uses as the Commission may determine.
j) Insure that all members and other personnel of Neutral
Nations Supervisory Commission and of the Neutral Nations
Repatriation Commission hereinafter established shall enjoy
the freedom and facilities necessary for the proper exercise
of their function, including privileges, treatment, and immunities
equivalent to those ordinarily enjoyed by accredited diplomatic
personnel under international usage.
14. This Armistice Agreement shall apply to all opposing ground
forces under the military control of either side, which ground
forces shall respect the Demitarized Zone and the area of
Korea under the military control of the opposing side.
15. This Armistice Agreement shall apply to all opposing naval
forces, which naval forces shall respect the waters contiguous
to the Demitarized Zone and to the land area of Korea under
the military control of the opposing side, and shall not engage
in blockade of any kind of Korea.
16. This Armistice Agreement shall apply to all opposing air
forces, which air forces shall respect the air space over
the Demilitarized Zone and over the area of Korea under the
military control of the opposing side, and over the waters
contiguous to both.
17. Responsibility for compliance with and enforcement of
the terms and provisions of this Armistice Agreement is that
of signatories hereto and their successors in command. The
commanders of the opposing sides shall establish within their
respective commands all measures and procedures necessary
to insure complete compliance with all of the provisions hereof
by all elements of their commands. They shall actively cooperate
with one another and with the Military Armistice Commission
and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in requiring
observance of both the letter and the spirit of all of the
provisions of this Armistice Agreement.
18. The costs of the operations of the Military Armistice
Commission and of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
and of their Teams shall be shared equally by the two opposing
sides.
B. Military Armistice Commission
1. composition
19. A Military Armistice Commission is hereby established.
20. The Military Armistice Commission shall be composed of
ten (10) senior officers, five (5) of whom shall be appointed
by the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and five
(5) of whom shall be appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander
of Korean People’ s Army and the Commander of the Chinese
People’ s Volunteers. Of the ten members, three (3)
from each side shall be of general or flag rank. The two (2)
remaining members on each side may be major generals, brigadier
generals, colonels, or their equivalents.
21. Members of the Military Armistice Commission shall be
permitted to use staff assistants as required.
22. The Military Armistice Commission shall be provided with
the necessary administrative personnel to establish a Secretariat
charged with assisting the Commission by performing record-keeping,
secretarial, interpreting, and such other functions as the
Commission may assign to it. Each side shall appoint to the
Secretariat a Secretary and an Assistant Secretary and such
clerical and specialized personnel as required by the Secretariat.
Records shall be kept in English, Korean, and Chinese, all
of which shall be equally authentic.
23. (a) The Military Armistice Commission shall be initially
provided with and assisted by ten (10) Joint Observer Teams,
which number may be reduced by agreement of the senior members
of both sides on the Military Armistice Commission.
(b) Each joint Observer Team shall be composed of not less
four (4) nor more than six (6) officers of field grade, half
of whom shall be APPOINTED BY THE commander-in-Chief, United
Nations Command, and half of whom shall be appointed jointly
by the Supreme Commander of the Korean Peoples’ s Army
and the Commander of the Chinese People; s Volunteers. Additional
personnel such as drivers, clerks, and interpreters shall
be furnished by each side as required for the functioning
of the Joint Observer Teams.
2. Functions and Authority
24. The general mission of the Military Armistice Commission
shall be to supervise the implementation of this Armistice
Agreement and to settle through negotiations any violations
of this Armistice Agreement.
25. The Military Armistice Commission shall:
(a) Locate its headquarters in the vicinity of PANMUNJOM (37?
57’ 29”N, 126? 40’00”E). The Military
Armistice Commission may relocate its headquarters at another
point within Demilitarized Zone by agreement of the senior
members of both sides of the commission.
(b) Operate as a joint organization without a chairman.
(c) Adopt such rules of procedure as it may, from time to
time, deem necessary.
(d) Supervise the carrying out of the provisions of this Armistice
Agreement pertaining to the Demilitarized Zone and to the
Han River Estuary.
(e) Direct the operations of the Joint Observer Teams.
(f) Settle through negotiation any violations of this Armistice
Agreement.
(g) Transmit immediately to the Commanders of the opposing
sides all reports of investigations of violations of this
Armistice Agreement and all other reports and records of proceedings
received from the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
(h) Give general supervision and direction to the activities
of the Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War and
the Committee for Assisting the Return of Displaced Civilians,
hereinafter established.
(i) Act as an intermediary in transmitting communications
between the Commanders of the opposing sides ; provided, however,
that the foregoing shall not be construed to preclude the
Commanders of both sides from communicating with each other
by any other means which they may desire to employ.
(j) Provide credentials and distinctive insignia for its staff
and its Joint Observer Teams, and a distinctive marking for
all vehicles, aircraft, and vessels, used in the performance
of its mission.
26. The mission of the Joint Observer Teams shall be to assist
the Military Armistice Commission in supervising the carrying
out of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement pertaining
to the Demilitarized Zone and to the Han River Estuary.
27. The Military Armistice Commission, or the senior member
of either side thereof, is authorized to dispatch Joint Observer
Teams to investigate violations of this Armistice Agreement
reported to have occurred in the Demilitarized Zone or in
the Han River Estuary ; provided, however, that not more than
one half of the Joint Observer Teams which have not been dispatched
by the Military Armistice Commission may be dispatched at
any one time by the senior member of either side on the Commission.
28. The Military Armistice Commission, or the senior member
of either side thereof, is authorized to request the Neutral
Nations Supervisory Commission to conduct special observations
and inspections at places outside the Demilitarized Zone where
violations of this Armistice Agreement have been reported
to have occurred.
29. When the Military Armistice Commission determines that
a violation of this Armistice Agreement has occurred, its
shall immediately report such violation to the Commanders
of the opposing sides.
30. When the Military Armistice Commission determines that
a violation of this Armistice Agreement has been corrected
to its satisfaction, its shall so report to the Commanders
of the opposing sides.
3. General
31. The Military Armistice Commission shall meet daily. Recesses
of not to exceed seven (7) days may be agreed upon by the
senior members of both sides ; provided, that such recesses
may be terminated on twenty-four (24) hour notice by the senior
member of either side.
32. Copies of the record of the proceedings of all meetings
of the Military Armistice Commission shall be forwarded to
the Commanders of the opposing sides, as soon as possible
after each meeting.
33. The Joint Observer Team shall make periodic reports to
the Military Armistice Commission as required by the Commission
and, in addition, shall make such special reports as may be
deemed necessary by them, or as may be required by the Commission.
34. The Military Armistice Commission shall maintain duplicate
files of the reports and records of proceedings required by
this Armistice Agreement. The Commission is authorized to
maintain duplicate files of such other reports, records, etc.,
as may be necessary in the conduct of its business. Upon eventual
dissolution of the Commission, one set of the above files
shall be turned over to each side.
35. The Military Armistice Commission may make recommendations
to the Commanders of the opposing sides with respect to amendments
or additions to this Armistice Agreement. Such recommended
changes should generally be those designed to insure a more
effective armistice.
C. Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
1. Composition
36. A neutral Nations Supervisory Commission is hereby established.
37. The neutral nations Supervisory Commission shall be composed
of four (4) senior officers, two (2) of whom shall be appointed
by neutral nations nominated by the Commander-in-chief, United
Nations Command, namely, SWEDEN and SWITZERLAND, and two (2)
of whom shall be appointed by neutral nations nominated jointly
by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army
and the Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers,
namely, POLAND and CZECHOSLOVAKIA. The term “neutral
nations” as herein used is defined as those nations
whose combatant forces have not participated in the hostilities
in Korea. Members appointed to the Commission may be from
the armed forced of the appointing nations. Each member shall
designate an alternate member to attend those meetings which
for any reason the principal member is unable to attend. Such
alternate members shall be of the same nationality as their
principals. The neutral Nations Supervisory Commission may
action whenever the number of members present from the neutral
nominated by one side is equal to the number of members present
from the neutral nations nominated by the other side.
38. Members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
shall be permitted to use staff assistants furnished by the
neutral nations as required. These staff assistants may be
appointed as alternate members of the Commission.
39. The neutral nations shall be requested to furnish the
Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission with the necessary
administrative personnel to establish a Secretariat charged
with assisting the Commission by performing necessary record-keeping,
secretarial, interpreting, and such other functions as the
Commission may assign to it.
40. (a) The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall be
initially provided with, and assisted by, twenty (20) Neutral
Nations Inspection Teams, which number may be reduced by agreement
of the senior members of both sides on the Military Armistice
Commission. The Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall be
responsible to, shall report to, and shall be subject to the
direction of, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission only.
(b) Each Neutral Nations Inspection Team shall be Composed
of not less than four (4) officers, preferably of field grade,
half of whom shall be from the neutral nations nominated by
the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and half of
whom shall be from the neutral nations nominated jointly by
the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army and
the Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. Members
appointed to the Neutral Nations Inspection Teams may be From
the armed Forces of the appointing nations. In order to facilitate
the functioning of the Teams, sub-teams composed of not less
than two (2) members, one of whom shall be from neutral nation
nominated by the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command,
and one of whom shall be from a neutral nation nominated jointly
by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army
and the Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers,
may be formed as circumstances require. Additional personnel
such as drivers, clerks, interpreters, and communications
personnel, and such equipment as may be required by the Teams
to perform their missions, shall be furnished by the Commander
of each side, as required, in the Demilitarized Zone and in
the territory under his military control. The Neutral Nations
Supervisory Commission may provide itself and the Neutral
Nations Inspection Teams with such of the above personnel
and equipment of its own as it may desire; provided, however,
that such personnel shall be personnel of the same neutral
nations of which the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
is composed.
2. Functions and Authority
41. The mission of the Neutral Nation Supervisory Commission
shall be to carry out the functions of supervision, observation,
inspection, and investigation, as stipulated in sub-paragraphs
13? and 13(d) and Paragraph 28 hereof, and to report the results
of such supervision, observation, inspection, and investigation
to the Military Armistice Commission.
42. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall :
(a) Locate its headquarters in proximity to the headquarters
of the Military Armistice Commission.
(b) Adopt such rules of procedure as it may, from time to
time, deem necessary.
(c) Conduct, through its Neutral Nations Inspection Teams,
the supervision and inspection provided for in Sub-paragraphs
13 (c) and 13 (d) of this Armistice Agreement at the ports
of entry enumerated in paragraphs 43 hereof, and the special
observations and inspections provided for in Paragraph 28
hereof at those places where violations of Armistice Agreement
have been reported to have occurred. The inspection of combat
aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons, and ammunition by the
Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall be such as to enable
them to properly insure that reinforcing combat aircraft,
armoured vehicles, weapons, and ammunition are not being introduced
into Korea; but this shall not be construed as authorizing
inspections or examinations of secret designs or characteristics
of any combat aircraft, armoured vehicle, weapon, or ammunition.
(d) Direct and supervise the operations of the Neutral Nations
Inspection Teams.
(e) Station five (5) Neutral Nations Inspection Teams at ports
of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof located in the
territory under the military control of the Commander-in Chief,
United Nations Command ; and five (5) Neutral Nations Inspection
Teams at the ports of entry enumerated in Paragraph 43 hereof
located in the territory under the military control of Supreme
Commander of the Korean People’s Army and the Commander
of the Chinese People’s Volunteers ; and establish initially
ten (10) mobile Neutral Nations Inspection Teams in reserve,
stationed in the general vicinity of the headquarters of the
Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, which number may be
reduced by agreement of the senior members of both sides on
the Military Armistice Commission. Not more than half of the
mobile Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall be dispatched
at one time in accordance with requests of the senior member
of either side on the Military Armistice Commission.
(f) Subject to the provisions of the preceding sub-paragraph,
conduct without delay investigations of reported violations
of this Armistice Agreement, including such investigations
of reported violations of this Armistice Agreement as may
be requested by the Military Armistice Commission or by the
senior member of either side on the Commission.
(g) Provide credentials and distinctive insignia for its staff
and its Neutral Nations Inspection Teams, and a distinctive
marking for all vehicles, aircraft, and vessels, used in the
performance of its mission.
43. Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall be stationed at
the following ports of entry :
Territory under the military control Territory under the
military control
Of the United Nations Command of the Korean People’s
Army and
The Chinese People’s Volunteers
Inchon (37?28’N, 126?38’E) Sinuiju (40?06’N,
124?24’E)
Taegu (35?52’N, 128?36’E) Chongjin (41?46’N,
129?49’E)
Pusan (35?06’N, 129?02’E) Hunguam (39?50’N,
127?37’E)
Kangnung (37?45’N, 128?54’E) Manpo (41?09’N,
126?18’E)
Kunsan (35?59’N, 126?43’E) Sinanju (39?36’N,
125?36’E)
These Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall be accorded
full convenience of movement within the areas and over and
the routes of communication set forth on the attached map
(Map 5).
3. General
44. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall meet
daily. Recesses of not to exceed seven (7) days may be agreed
upon by the members of members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory
Commission ; provided, that such recesses may be terminated
on twenty-four (24) hour notice by any member.
45. Copies of the record of the proceedings of all meetings
of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall be forwarded
to the Military Armistice Commission as soon as possible after
each meeting. Records shall be kept in English, Korean, and
Chinese.
46. The Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall make periodic
reports concerning the results of their supervision, observations,
inspections, and investigations to the Neutral Nations Supervisory
Commission as required by the Commission and, in addition,
shall make such special reports as may be deemed necessary
by them, or as may be required by the Commission. Reports
shall be submitted by a Team as a whole, but may also be submitted
by one or more individual members thereof ; provided, that
the reports submitted by one or more individual members thereof
shall be considered as informational only.
47. Copies of the reports made by the Neutral Nations Inspection
Teams shall be forwarded to the Military Armistice Commission
by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission without delay
and in the language in which received. They shall not be delayed
by the process of translation or evaluation. The Neutral Nations
Supervisory Commission shall evaluate such reports at the
earliest practicable time and shall for ward their findings
to the Military Armistice Commission as a matter of priority.
The Military Armistice Commission shall not take final action
with regard to any such report until the evaluation thereof
has been received from the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
Members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and
of its Teams shall be subject to appearance before the Military
Armistice Commission, at the request of the senior member
of either side on the Military Armistice Commission, for clarification
of any report submitted.
48. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall maintain
duplicate files of the reports and records of proceedings
required by this Armistice Agreement. The Commission is authorized
to maintain duplicate files of such other reports, records,
etc., as may be necessary in the conduct of its business.
Upon eventual dissolution of the Commission, one set of the
above files shall be turned over to each side.
49. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission may make recommendations
to the Military Armistice Commission with respect to amendments
or additions to this Armistice Agreement. Such recommended
changes should generally be those designed to insure a more
effective armistice.
50. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, or any member
thereof, shall be authorized to communicate with any member
of the Military Armistice Commission.
Article3
ARRANGEMENTS RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR
51. The release and repatriation of all prisoners of war
held in the custody of each side at the time this Armistice
Agreement becomes effective shall be effected in conformity
with the following provisions agreed upon by both side prior
to the signing of this Armistice Agreement.
(a) Within sixty (60) days after this Armistice Agreement
becomes effective, each side shall, without offering any hindrance,
directly repatriate and hand over in groups all those prisoners
of war in its custody who insist on repatriation to the side
to which they belonged at the time of capture. Repatriation
shall be accomplished in accordance with the related provisions
of this Article. In order to expedite the repatriation process
of such personnel, each side shall, prior to the signing of
the Armistice Agreement, exchange the total numbers, by nationalities,
of personnel to be directly repatriated. Each group of prisoners
of war delivered to the other side shall be accompanied by
rosters, to include name, rank ( if any) and internment or
military serial number.
(b) Each side shall release all those remaining prisoners
of war, who are not directly repatriated, from its military
control and from its custody and hand them over to the Neutral
Nations Repatriation Commission for disposition in accordance
with the provisions in the Annex hereto : “Terms of
Reference for Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission.:
(c) So that there may be no misunderstanding owing to the
equal use of three languages, the act of delivery of a prisoner
of war by one side to the other side shall, for the purposes
of this Armistice Agreement, be called “repatriation”
in English, “song hwan” in Korean, and “chi’
ien fan” in Chinese, notwithstanding the nationality
or place of residence of such prisoner of war.
52. Each side insures that it will not employ in acts of war
in the Korean conflict any prisoner of war released and repatriation
incident to the coming into effect of this Armistice Agreement.
53. All the sick and injured prisoners of war who insist upon
repatriation shall be repatriation with priority. Insofar
as possible, there shall be captured medical personnel repatriated
with concurrently with the sick and injured prisoners of war,
so as to provide medical care and attendance en route.
54. The repatriation of all prisoners of war required by Sub-paragraph
51a hereof shall be completed within a time limit of sixty(60)
days after this Armistice Agreement becomes effective. Within
this time limit each side undertakes to complete the repatriation
of the above-mentioned prisoners of war in its custody at
the earliest practicable time.
55. PANMUNJOM is designated as the place where prisoners of
war will be delivered and received by both sides. Additional
place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners of war in
the Demilitarized Zone may be designated, if necessary, by
the Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War.
56. (a) A Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War is
hereby established. It shall be composed of six(6) officers
of field grade, three(3) of whom shall be appointed by the
commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and tree(3) of
whom shall be appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander of
the Korean People’s Army and the Commander of the Chinese
People’s Volunteers. This Committee shall, under the
general supervision and direction of the Military Armistice
Commission, be responsible for coordinating the specific plans
of both side for the repatriation of prisoners of war and
for supervising the execution by both sides of all of the
provision of this Armistice Agreement relation to the repatriation
of prisoners of war. It shall be the duty of this Committee
to coordinate the timing of the arrival of prisoners of war
at the place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners of
war from the prisoners of war camps of war camps of both side
; to make, when necessary, such special arrangement as may
be required with regard to the transportation and welfare
of sick and injured prisoners of war; to coordinate the work
of the joint Red Cross teams, established in Paragraph 57
hereof, in assisting in the repatriation of prisoners of war
; to supervise the implementation of the arrangement for the
actual repatriation of prisoners of war stipulated in Paragraphs
53 and 54 hereof; to select, when necessary, additional place(s)
of delivery and reception of prisoners of war; and to carry
out such other related functions as are required for the repatriation
of prisoners of war.
(b) When unable to reach agreement on any matter relating
to its responsibilities, the Committee for Repatriation of
Prisoners of War shall immediately refer such matter to the
Military Armistice Commission for decision. The Committee
for Repatriation of Prisoners of War shall maintain its headquarters
in proximity to the headquarters of the Military Armistice
Commission.
(c) The Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War shall
be dissolved by the Military Armistice Commission upon completion
of the program of repatriation of prisoners of war.
57. (a) Immediately after this Armistice Agreement becomes
effective, joint Red Cross teams composed of representatives
of the national Red Cross Societies of the countries contributing
force to the United Nations Command on the one hand, and representatives
of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea and representative of the Red Cross of the
People’s Republic of China on the other hand, shall
be established. The joint Red Cross teams shall assist in
the execution by both side of those provision of this Armistice
Agreement relating to the repatriation of all the prisoners
of war specified in Sub-paragraph 51a hereof, who insist upon
repatriation, by the performance of such humanitarian services
as are necessary and desirable for the welfare of the prisoners
of war. To accomplish this task, the joint Red Cross teams
shall provide assistance in ? delivering and receiving of
prisoners of war by both sides at the place(s) of delivery
and reception of prisoners of war, and shall visit the prisoner
of war camps of both sides to comfort the prisoners of war
and to bring in and distribute gift articles for the comfort
and welfare of the prisoners of war. The joint Red Cross teams
may provide services to prisoners of war while en route from
prisoner of war camps to the place(s) of delivery and reception
of prisoners of war.
(b) The joint Red Cross teams shall be organized as set forth
below:
(1) One team shall be composed of twenty (20) members, namely,
ten(10) representatives from the national Red Cross Societies
of each side, to assist in the delivering and receiving of
prisoners of war by both sides at the place(s) of delivery
and reception of prisoners of war. The chairmanship of this
team shall alternate daily between representatives from the
Red Cross Societies of the two sides. The work and services
of this team shall be coordinated by the coordinated by the
Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War.
(2) One team shall be composed of sixty (60) members, namely,
thirty (30) representatives from the national Red Cross Societies
of each side, to visit the prisoner of war camps under the
administration of the Korean People’s Army and the Chinese
People’s Volunteers. This team may provide services
to prisoners of war while en route from the prisoners of war
camps to the place(s) of delivery and reception of prisoners
of war. A representative of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea or of the Red Cross Society
of the People’s Republic of China shall serve as chairman
of this team.
(3) One team shall be composed of sixty (60) members, namely,
thirty (30) representatives from the national Red Cross Societies
of each side, to visit the prisoner of war camps under the
administration of the Unite Nations Command. This team may
provide services to prisoners of war while en route from the
prisoners of war camps to the place of delivery and reception
of prisoners of war. A representative of a Red Cross Society
of a nation contributing forces to the United Nations Command
shall serve as chairman of this team.
(4) In order to facilitate the functioning of each joint Red
Cross team, sub-teams composed of not loss than two(2) members
from the team, with an equal number of representatives from
each side, may be formed as circumstances require.
(5) Additional personnel such as drivers, clerks, and interpreters,
and such equipment as may be required by the joint Red Cross
teams to perform their missions, shall be furnished by the
Commander of each side to the team operation in the territory
under his military control.
(6) Whenever jointly agreed upon by the representatives of
both sides or any joint Red Cross team, the size of such team
may be increased or decreased, subject to confirmation by
the Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War.
(c) The Commander of each side shall cooperate fully with
the joint Red Cross teams in the performance of their functions,
and undertakes to inure the security of the personnel of the
joint Red Cross team in the area under his military control.
The Commander of each side shall provide such logistic, administrative,
and communications facilities as may be required by the team
operation in the territory under his military control.
(d) The joint Red Cross team shall be dissolved upon completion
of the program of repatriation of all the prisoners of war
specified in Sub-paragraph 51a hereof, who insist upon repatriation.
58. (a) The Commander of each side shall furnish to the Commander
of the other side as soon as practicable, but not later than
ten (10) days after this Armistice Agreement becomes effective,
the following information concerning prisoners of war:
(1) Complete data pertaining to the prisoners of war who escaped
since the effective date of the data last exchanged.
(2) Insofar as practicable, information regarding name, nationality,
rank, and other identification data, data and cause of death,
and place of burial, o those prisoners of war who died while
in his custody.
(b) If any prisoners of war escape or die after the effective
data of the supplementary information specified above, the
detaining side shall furnish to the other side, through the
Committee for Repatriation of Prisoners of War, the data pertaining
thereto in accordance with provisions of Sub-paragraph 58a
hereof. Such data shall be furnished at ten-day intervals
until the completion of the program of delivery and reception
of prisoners of war.
(c) Any escaped prisoner of war who return to the custody
of the detaining side after the completion of the program
of delivery and reception of prisoners of war shall be delivered
to the Military Armistice Commission for disposition.
59. (a) All civilians who, at the time this Armistice Agreement
becomes effective, are in territory under the military control
of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and who,
on 24 June 1950, resided north of the Military Demarcation
Line established in this Armistice Agreement shall, if they
desire to return home, be permitted and assisted by the Commander-in-Chief,
United Nations Command, to return to the area north of the
Military Demarcation Line ; and all civilians who, at the
time this Armistice Agreement becomes effective, are in territory
under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the
Korean People’s Army and the Commander of the Chinese
People’s Volunteers, and who, on 24 June 1950, resided
south of the Military Demarcation Line established in this
Armistice Agreement shall, if they desire to return home,
be permitted and assisted by the Supreme Commander of the
Korean People’s Army and the Commander of the Chinese
People’s Volunteers to return to the area south of the
Military Demarcation Line. The Commander of each side shall
be responsible for publicizing widely throughout territory
under his military control the contents of the provisions
of this Sub-paragraph, and for calling upon the appropriate
civil authorities to give necessary guidance and assistance
to all such civilians who desire to return home.
(b) All civilians of foreign nationality who, at the time
this Armistice Agreement becomes effective, are in territory
under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the
Korean People’s Army and the Commander of the Chinese
People’s Volunteers shall, if they desire to proceed
to territory under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief,
United Nations Command, be permitted and assisted to do so;
all civilians of foreign nationality who, at the time this
Armistice Agreement becomes effective, are in territory under
the military control of the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations
Command, shall, if they desire to proceed to territory under
the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean
People’s Army and the Commander of the Chinese People’s
Volunteers, be permitted and assisted to do so. The Commander
of each side shall be responsible for publicizing widely throughout
the territory under his military control the contents of the
provisions of this Sub-paragraph, and for calling upon the
appropriate civil authorities to give necessary guidance and
assistance to all such civilians of foreign nationality who
desire to proceed to territory under the military control
of the Commander of the other side.
(c) Measures to assist in the return of civilians provide
for in Sub-paragraph 59a hereof and the movement of civilians
provide for in Sub-paragraph 59b hereof shall be commenced
by both sides as soon as possible after this Armistice Agreement
becomes effective.
(e) (1) A Committee for Assisting the Return of Displaced
Civilians is hereby established. It shall be composed of four(4)
officers of field grade, two(2) of whom shall be appointed
by the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, and two(2)
of whom shall be appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander
of the Korean People’s Volunteers. This Committee shall,
under the general supervision and direction of the Military
Armistice Commission, be responsible for coordination the
specific plans of both sides for assistance to the return
of the above-mentioned civilians, and for supervising the
execution by both sides of all of the provision of this Armistice
Agreement relating to the return of the above-mentioned civilians.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to make necessary arrangements,
including those of transportation, for expediting and coordinating
the movement of the above-mentioned civilians ; to select
the crossing point(s) through which the above-mentioned civilians
will cross the Military Demarcation Line ; to arrange for
security at the crossing point(s) ; and to carry our such
other functions as are required to accomplish the return of
the above-mentioned civilians.
(2) When unable to reach agreement on any matter relating
to its responsibilities, the Committee for Assisting the Return
of Displaced Civilians shall immediately refer such matter
to the Military Armistice Commission for decision. The Committee
for Assisting the Return of Displaced Civilians shall maintain
its headquarters in proximity to the headquarters of the Military
Armistice Commission.
(3) The Committee for Assisting the Return of Displaced Civilians
shall be dissolved by the Military Armistice Commission upon
fulfillment of its mission.
Article 4
RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNMENTS CONCERNED ONN BOTH SIDES
60. In order to insure the peaceful settlement of the Korean
question, the military Commanders of both sides hereby recommend
to the governments of the countries concerned on both sides
that, within three (3) months after the Armistice Agreement
is signed and becomes effective, a political conference of
a higher level of both sides be held by representatives appointed
respectively to settle through negotiation the questions of
the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Korea, the peaceful
settlement of the Korean question, etc.
Article 5
MISCELLANEOUS
61. Amendments and additions to this Armistice Agreement
must be mutually agree to by the Commanders of the opposing
sides.
62. the Articles and Paragraphs of this Armistice Agreement
shall remain in effect until expressly superseded either by
mutually acceptable amendments and additions or by provision
in an appropriate for a peaceful settlement at a political
level between both sides.
63. All of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement, other
than Paragraph 12, shall become effective at 22:00 hours on
27 July 1953.
Done at Panmunjom, Korea, at 10:00 hours on the 27th day of
July 1953, in English , Korean, and Chinese, all texts being
equally authentic.
KIM IL SUNG PENG THE-HUAI MARK W. CLARK
Marshal, Democratic Commander, General, United
People’s Republic Chinese People’s State Army,
Of Korea Volunteers Commander-in-
Supreme Commander Chief, United
Korean People’s Army Nations Command
Present :
NAM IL WILLIAM K. HARRISON, Jr
General Korean People’s Lieutenant General, United
Army States Army
Senior Delegate, Delegation Senior Delegate, United
Of the Korean People’s Nations Command
Army and the Chinese Delegation
People’s Volunteers
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