● 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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