An armistice order issued by Marshal Kim Il Sung and General Peng Dehuai to the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers
All comrades of the Korean People's Army: All comrades of the Chinese People's Volunteers:
The Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers resisted the aggression after three years. After two years of armistice negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the Korean issue, the Korean Armistice has been won and the Korean Armistice Agreement has been signed with the United Nations Forces.
The signing of the armistice agreement was the first step towards a peaceful settlement of the Korean question and was therefore conducive to peace in the Far East and the world. It has won the enthusiastic support of the people of the DPRK and China, and has greatly encouraged the peace-loving people of the world, but there are still some militants on the side of the United Nations forces, especially the Syngman Rhee clique, who are deeply dissatisfied with the realization of the Korean armistice and therefore extremely oppose the signing of the armistice agreement. To this end, all comrades of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers must heighten their vigilance.
On the occasion of the entry into force of the Armistice Agreement, in order to resolutely guarantee the realization and non-destruction of the Korean Armistice and to facilitate the convening of a political conference for the further peaceful settlement of the Korean issue, we issue the following order:
1. All personnel of the army, air force, navy, and coastal defense units of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers shall resolutely abide by the armistice agreement, and shall completely cease fire on all fronts beginning at 22 o'clock on 27 July 1953, that is, 12 hours after the signing of the armistice agreement; within 72 hours from 22 o'clock on 27 July 1953, that is, within 72 hours after the armistice decision takes effect, all the military demarcation line announced by the two sides shall be withdrawn 2 kilometers and no further step into the demilitarized zone shall be allowed.
2. All personnel of the army, air force, navy and coastal defense units of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers shall maintain a high degree of alert, hold their positions, and prevent any aggression and sabotage from the other side.
3. All personnel belonging to the Military Armistice Commission and its Joint Observer Group, the Committee of Neutral Nations and its personnel, as well as the personnel of the Joint Red Cross Group, and all personnel of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers who enter the areas controlled by our army for the implementation of the Armistice Agreement shall be welcomed and shall be responsible for their security and shall actively assist them in their work.
Kim Il Sung
Peng Dehuai
July 27, 1953
Pyongyang, July 27 (Xinhua) --
[Attached] Agreement between the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers and the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces on the Korean Military Armistice
preface
The following signatories, the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, on the one hand, and the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces on the other, hereby individually, jointly and mutually agree to accept and accept the terms and conditions of the armistice contained in the following articles, in order to halt the Korean conflict, which has caused great suffering and bloodshed on both sides, and to establish an armistice sufficient to guarantee the complete cessation of hostilities and all armed operations in Korea, pending the conclusion of a final peaceful settlement These conditions and provisions are intended to be purely military in nature and apply only to the belligerents in Korea.
Article 1 The Military Demarcation Line and the Demilitarized Zone
and to establish a military demarcation line, from which each side will retreat two kilometres in order to establish a demilitarized zone between the opposing armies. Establish a demilitarized zone as a buffer zone to prevent incidents that could lead to the resumption of hostilities.
The location of the military demarcation line is shown in the attached map (see attached map I).
The demilitarized zone is defined by the northern and southern margins shown in the attached map (see annex I).
4. The military demarcation line shall be clearly marked in accordance with the directives of the Military Armistice Commission established hereafter. Commanders of opposing sides erect hostile markers along the border between the demilitarized zone and their respective areas. The Military Armistice Commission oversees the erection of all markers along the military demarcation line and the demilitarized zone.
5. The water surface of the Han River estuary, where one bank is controlled by one side and the other is controlled by the other, is open to civil shipping between the two sides. The rules of navigation for the part of the Han River estuary shown on the attached map (see Attached Chart II) were laid down by the Military Armistice Commission. There are no restrictions on the land docking of civilian shipping between the parties under their military control.
6. Neither Party shall engage in any hostile act in the demilitarized zone, from, or into the demilitarized zone.
No soldier or civilian shall be allowed to cross the military demarcation line without the permission of the Military Armistice Commission.
No soldier or civilian in the demilitarized zone shall enter the area under the military control of either side without the permission of the commander to whom he or she is requested to enter
No military or civilian shall be allowed to enter the demilitarized zone except for persons connected with the administration of civil affairs and relief and persons authorized by the Military Armistice Commission.
The Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers shall be jointly responsible for civil affairs and relief for the part north of the military demarcation line of the demilitarized zone; The number of military or civilian personnel or civilians permitted to enter the demilitarized zone for civil and relief purposes shall be determined by the respective commanders of the parties, provided that the total number approved by either side shall not exceed one thousand at any one time. The number of civil police officers and the weapons they take with them shall be regulated by the Military Armistice Commission. Other personnel are not allowed to take arms without the permission of the Military Armistice Commission.
Nothing in this article shall be construed as prejudice to the Military Armistice Commission, its assistants, its Joint Observer Group and its assistants, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission hereafter established, its assistants, the Neutral Nations Inspection Group and its assistants, and any other person who has been authorized by the Military Armistice Commission to enter the demilitarized zone, Complete freedom of movement of goods and equipment into and out of the demilitarized zone, and when the two places within the demilitarized zone cannot be connected by all passages within the demilitarized zone, the facilitation of movement through the areas under the military control of either side for the purpose of the passage necessary between the two places shall be permitted, Article 2 Specific arrangements for a ceasefire and an armistice
A. General
12. The commanders of the opposing sides shall order and warrant the complete cessation of all hostilities in Korea by all armed forces, including all units and personnel of the army, navy and air force, under their control, and that such complete cessation of hostilities shall take effect twelve hours after the signing of this Armistice Agreement (see paragraph 63 of this Armistice Agreement for the date and time of entry into force of the remaining provisions of this Armistice Agreement).
XIII. In order to ensure the stability of the military armistice and to facilitate the holding of a high-level political conference between the two sides to reach a peaceful settlement, the commanders of the opposing sides:
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Armistice Agreement, withdraw all its military forces, supplies and equipment from the demilitarized zone within seventy-two hours after the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement. After the withdrawal of military forces from the demilitarized zone, all explosives, mine positions, barbed wire and other dangerous objects known to exist in the demilitarized zone that endanger the safe passage of the personnel of the Military Armistice Commission or its Joint Observer Group, together with all passages where such dangerous objects are known and not available, shall be reported to the Military Armistice Commission by the commander of the army in which such dangerous objects are located. Thereafter, more safe passages shall be cleared, and finally, within forty-five days after the end of the seventy-two-hour period, all such dangerous goods shall be removed from the demilitarized zone under the direction and supervision of the Military Armistice Commission. After the expiration of the seventy-two-hour period, no personnel of either side shall be allowed to enter the demilitarized zone except for non-armed forces under the supervision of the Military Armistice Commission who have the authority to complete the clearance during a period of forty-five days, police forces specifically requested by the Military Armistice Commission and agreed to by the commanders of the opposing sides, and persons authorized by paragraphs 10 and 11 of this Armistice Agreement.
(b) Withdraw all military forces, supplies and equipment from the rear and coastal islands and seas of the other side within 10 days after the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement. If such a military force is not withdrawn within the time limit, and there is no mutually agreeable and valid reason for postponing the withdrawal, the other side has the right to take any action it deems necessary to maintain law and order. The term "coastal islands" shall mean islands occupied by one side at the time of the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement and which were under the control of the other side on June 24, 1950, but all islands north of and west of the boundary between Hwanghae-do and Gyeonggi-do provinces except Baeknyeong Island (37°58' N, 124.4' E), Greater Tsingtao (37.58' N, 124.42' E), Lesser Castle (37.46' N, 124.46' E), The islands of Yeonpyeong Island (37°38'N, 125°4' E) and Sumido (37°36'N, 125°58'E) are under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers. All islands on the west coast of Korea, south of the above-mentioned line, remain under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces (see annex III).
(c) The suspension of the entry of military personnel from outside the DPRK for reinforcements, except for the rotation of troops and personnel within the scope specified below, the arrival of personnel on temporary assignments in the DPRK, and the return to the DPRK of personnel after a short-term leave or temporary assignment outside the DPRK. "Rotation" is defined as the replacement of troops or personnel by other units or personnel who have begun service in the DPRK. Rotational personnel may enter and evacuate Korea only through the ports listed in paragraph 43 of this Armistice Agreement. Rotation shall be carried out on a one-for-one basis, provided that no one side may enter more than 35,000 military personnel from outside the DPRK in any one month under the rotation policy. No military personnel of one side shall enter the DPRK if the entry of military personnel of that side would result in the total number of military personnel of that side entering Korea since the date of entry into force of this armistice agreement exceeding the cumulative total number of military personnel of that side leaving Korea since the same date. The arrival and departure of military personnel from the DPRK shall be reported daily to the Military Armistice Commission and the Neutral Nations Monitoring Commission; The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, through its Neutral Nations inspection teams, shall monitor and inspect the above-approved rotation of troops and personnel at the ports listed in paragraph 43 of this Armistice Agreement.
(e) Combat aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons and ammunition that have entered the DPRK from outside the territory of the DPRK to reinforce the DPRK shall cease to be replaced on a piece-by-piece basis of the same performance and type destroyed and worn during the armistice, and such combat aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons and ammunition may enter the DPRK only through the ports listed in paragraph 43 of this Armistice Agreement. In order to establish the need for combat aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons and ammunition imported into the DPRK for replacement purposes, each import of such items shall be reported to the Military Armistice Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, and such report shall indicate the disposition of the replaced items. Items to be replaced from the DPRK may be withdrawn only through the ports listed in paragraph 43 of this Armistice Agreement. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, through its Neutral Nations inspection teams, shall supervise and inspect the above-approved replacement of combat aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons and ammunition at the ports listed in paragraph 43 of this Armistice Agreement.
and to ensure that appropriate punishment will be imposed on those under their respective command who violate the provisions of this Armistice Agreement.
If, provided that the place of burial is recorded and the existence of the grave is ascertained, the registrar of the cemetery of the other side shall be permitted to enter the territory of Korea under its military control for a certain period after the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement in order to proceed to the location of such grave and to exhum the bodies of the deceased military personnel, including deceased prisoners of war, of that side. The exact method and time frame for such work to be carried out shall be determined by the Military Armistice Commission, and the commanders of the opposing sides shall provide the other side with all possible materials as to the places of burial of the deceased military personnel of the other side.
(v) to accord full protection and all possible assistance and cooperation to the Military Armistice Commission and its Joint Observer Group and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and its Neutral Nations Inspection Group in the performance of their functions and tasks as hereafter assigned. Adequate facilitation of passage shall be accorded to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and its Neutral Nations Inspection Teams, by the main lines of communication agreed between the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission Headquarters and the ports listed in paragraph 43 of this Armistice Agreement, as well as between the Headquarters of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and the places where violations of this Armistice Agreement have been reported. To avoid unnecessary delays, the use of alternative routes and means of transport should be permitted when major traffic routes are closed or impassable.
Logistical support, including communications and transportation facilities, was provided to the Military Armistice Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and their respective teams
Each of them shall construct and maintain an applicable airfield in its own area within the demilitarized zone adjacent to the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission, the purpose of which shall be determined by the Military Armistice Commission.
To ensure that all members and other members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, established hereafter, enjoy such freedoms and facilities as may be necessary for the proper performance of their functions, including privileges, treatment and immunities equivalent to those normally accorded to recognized diplomats in accordance with international practice.
14. This Armistice Agreement shall apply to all hostile ground forces under the military control of the two sides, which shall respect the demilitarized zone and the Korean area under the military control of the other side.
15. This Armistice Agreement shall apply to all hostile maritime military forces. Such maritime military forces must respect the adjacent demilitarized zone and the waters of the DPRK's fresh land under the military control of the other side, and must not impose any kind of blockade on the DPRK.
16. This Armistice Agreement shall apply to all hostile air military forces. Such air forces are required to respect the skies above the demilitarized zone and the DPRK under the military control of the other side, as well as the seas adjacent to them
17. Responsibility for observing and enforcing the terms and provisions of this Armistice Agreement rests with the signatories of this Armistice Agreement and their successor commanders, and the commanders of the opposing sides shall take all necessary measures and means in the armies under their respective command to ensure full compliance by all their subordinates with all the provisions of this Armistice Agreement. The commanders of the opposing sides shall cooperate actively with each other and with the Military Armistice Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission in order to obtain respect for the letter and spirit of all the provisions of this Armistice Agreement.
18. The costs of the work of the Military Armistice Commission and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and their respective groups shall be borne equally by the opposing sides. (b) The Military Armistice Commission (1) is formed
19. Establish a Military Armistice Commission.
The Military Armistice Commission shall be composed of ten senior officers, five 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, and five by the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces. Of the 10 members, three from each side shall be of the rank of general, and two from each side shall be major generals, brigadier generals, colonels or their equivalents.
21. The members of the Military Armistice Commission may use staff assistants as they see fit.
The Military Armistice Commission shall be staffed with the necessary administrative staff to establish a secretariat which shall assist the Commission in carrying out its records, documents, interpreters and other functions as may be assigned by the Commission. Each side shall appoint a Secretary-General, an Assistant Secretary-General and such clerical and specialized technical personnel as may be required by the Secretariat. Records are in Korean, Chinese and English, and all three languages are equally valid.
The Military Armistice Commission shall be assisted at the outset by ten joint observer groups, the number of which may be reduced by agreement of the principal members of the two sides of the Military Armistice Commission.
(b) Each Joint Observer Group is composed of four to six officers of the rank of colonel, half of whom are appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, and half by the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces. The auxiliary personnel required for the work of the Joint Observation Group, such as drivers, clerks and interpreters, shall be provided by both sides.
(2) Functions and powers
24. The general task of the Military Armistice Commission shall be to supervise the implementation of this Armistice Agreement and to negotiate and deal with any violation of this Armistice Agreement.
25. Military Armistice Commission:
The headquarters is located near Panmunjom (37 degrees 57 minutes 29 seconds north latitude, 126 degrees 40 minutes OO seconds east longitude). The Military Armistice Commission may, by agreement of the principal members of the two sides, move its headquarters to another location within the demilitarized zone.
(b) It works as a joint body without a chairman.
(c) Adopt the rules of service that it deems necessary from time to time.
To supervise the implementation of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement relating to the demilitarized zone and the mouth of the Han River.
Chen, to guide the work of the Joint Observer Group.
Any violation of this Armistice Agreement has been dealt with through consultations.
Immediately transmit to the Commanders of the opposing sides all investigation reports and all other reports and minutes of violations of this Armistice received from the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
General supervision of the work of the Commission for the Repatriation of Prisoners of War and the Commission for the Assistance in the Return of Displaced Civilians, which were established later.
(a) Acting as an intermediary between the commanders of the two opposing sides in the transmission of information, provided that the foregoing shall not be construed as precluding the commanders of the two sides from using any other method they may wish to use to communicate information to each other.
Prepare and issue identification documents and micro-markings of its staff and their Joint Observer Teams, as well as identification marks of all vehicles, aircraft and vessels used in the performance of their missions.
The task of the Joint Observer Group is to assist the Military Armistice Commission in supervising the implementation of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement relating to the demilitarized zone and the mouth of the Han River.
27. The Military Armistice Commission or the Chief Committee of either of the Commissions shall have the power to dispatch joint observer teams to investigate reported violations of this Armistice Agreement in the demilitarized zone or at the mouth of the Han River;
28. The Military Armistice Commission, or the Chief Committee of either of them, shall have the right to request the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission to conduct special observations and inspections outside the demilitarized zone where violations of this Armistice Agreement have been reported.
29. When the Military Armistice Commission determines that a violation of this Armistice Agreement has occurred, it shall immediately report the violation to the commanders of the opposing sides.
30. When the Military Armistice Commission determines that a violation of this Armistice Agreement has been satisfactorily remedied, it shall report to the commanders of the opposing sides.
General clauses
31. The Military Armistice Commission meets daily. The Presiding Committee of the Parties may agree to an adjournment for not more than seven days, provided that the Admirable Committee of either Party may terminate such adjournment by giving twenty-four hours' notice.
32. Copies of the minutes of all meetings of the Military Armistice Commission shall be sent to the commanders of the opposing sides as soon as possible after each meeting
Official.
The Joint Observer Group shall submit to the Military Armistice Commission such periodic reports as the Commission may request, as well as such special reports as the Panel deems necessary or requested by the Commission.
34. The Military Armistice Commission shall keep a double archive of the reports and minutes of the meetings provided for in this Armistice Agreement. The Committee shall keep a double file of other reports, records, etc., necessary for the conduct of its work. When the Commission was finally dissolved, one copy of the above-mentioned files was distributed to each of the parties.
35. The Military Armistice Commission may make proposals to the commanders of the opposing sides for amendments or additions to this Armistice Agreement. Such changes should generally be designed to ensure a more effective armistice.
(c) Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission
(a)
compose
36. Establish a Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall be composed of four senior officers, two of whom are appointed by neutral countries, namely, Poland and Czechoslovakia, nominated jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, and two by neutral States, namely, Sweden and Switzerland, nominated by the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces. As used in this Armistice Agreement, the term "neutral state" is defined as a country in which no fighting forces are taking part in hostilities in Korea. Members assigned to the Commission may be drawn from the armed forces of the country to which they are designated. Each member shall designate an alternate member to attend such meeting at which the full member is unable to attend for any reason. Such alternate members shall be of the same nationality as their full members. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Committee may take action when the number of Neutral Nations Commissioners nominated by one side is equal to the number of Neutral Nations Commissioners nominated by the other side.
38. The members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission may use such staff assistants as they may deem necessary. Such staff assistants may be appointed as alternate members of the Committee.
39. The necessary administrative personnel of the Neutral Nations Supervision Commission shall be requested to be provided by the neutral States for the purpose of establishing a secretariat which shall assist the Commission in the execution of the necessary records, documents, interpreters and other functions as may be designated by the Commission.
40. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall at the outset be assisted by twenty neutral nation inspection teams: the number of teams may be reduced by agreement of the principal members of the two sides of the Military Armistice Commission. The Neutral Nations Inspection Team is accountable only to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and reports to it under its direction.
Each neutral country inspection team shall consist of not less than four officers, preferably at the rank of colonel, half of whom shall be from neutral countries nominated jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, and half of whom shall be from neutral countries nominated by the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces. Members assigned to the Neutral Nations Inspection Team may be sent from among the armed forces of the assigned State. In order to facilitate the performance of their functions, subgroups may be established, as appropriate, consisting of not less than two members, one 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, and one from a neutral nation nominated by the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces. Ancillary personnel, such as drivers, clerks, interpreters, communications personnel, and equipment necessary for the performance of the tasks of the teams, shall be provided by the commanders of the parties as necessary within the demilitarized zone and in the areas under their military control. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission may equip itself with and provide such personnel and equipment as the Neutral Nations Inspection Team may wish, provided that such personnel are the national personnel of the neutral States constituting the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
(2) Functions and powers
41. The task of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall be to carry out the functions of supervision, observation, inspection and investigation provided for in paragraphs 13 (c), 13 (d) and 28 of this Armistice Agreement, and to report the results of such supervision, observation, inspection and investigation to the Military Armistice Commission.
42. Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission:
The headquarters is located near the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission.
(b) Adopt the rules of service that it deems necessary at any time.
(c) The supervision and inspection provided for in subparagraphs (c) and (d) of paragraph 13 of this Armistice Agreement shall be carried out by its members and their neutral nation inspection teams at the ports listed in paragraph 43 of this Armistice Agreement, and the special observations and inspections provided for in paragraph 28 of this Armistice Agreement shall be carried out at the locations where violations of this Armistice Agreement have been reported. Inspections of combat aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons and ammunition by neutral nation inspection teams shall enable the Panel to ensure the entry into the DPRK of combat aircraft, armoured vehicles, weapons and ammunition without reinforcements;
(d) To guide the work of the Neutral Nations Inspection Team of the Industry Supervision.
To station five neutral nation inspection teams at the ports listed in paragraph 43 of this Armistice Agreement in areas under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers; No more than half of the Mobile Neutral Nations Inspection Teams shall be dispatched at any one time at the request of the Chief Member of either of the Military Armistice Commissions.
Investigations into reported violations of this Armistice Agreement, including those requested by the Military Armistice Commission or the principal members of any of the Commissions, shall be conducted without delay within the limits provided for in the preceding paragraph.
Prepare and issue documentation and micro-markings of its staff and its neutral country inspection teams, as well as identification marks of all vehicles, aircraft and vessels used in the performance of their tasks. 43. Neutral Nations inspection teams are stationed at the following ports:
The Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers militarily controlled Sinuiju (40°06'N, 124°24'E), Cheongjin (41°46'N, 129°49'E), Heongnam (39°5'N North, 127°37'E), Manpo (41.09'N, 126°18'E), Sin'anju (39°36'N, 125°36'E) are areas under the military control of the United Nations Army
Incheon (37°28' N, 126°38' E) Daegu (35°52' N, 128°36' E) Busan (35°06' N, 129°02' E) Gangneung (37°45' N, 128°54' E)
Mountains (35°59' N, 126°43' E)
Such neutral nation inspection teams shall provide adequate access facilities in the areas shown on the drawings and on the transport routes (see general rules (3) of the attached maps).
v).
44. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission meets daily. A member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission may adjourn the meeting by agreement for not more than seven days;
45. Copies of the minutes of all meetings of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall be sent to the Military Armistice Commission as soon as possible after each meeting. Records are in Korean, Chinese and English.
46. Neutral Nations inspection teams shall submit to the Neutral Nations Supervision Commission such periodic reports as the Commission on Neutral Nations shall report on the results of its supervision, observation, inspection and investigations, as well as such special reports as the Neutral Nations Inspectors deem necessary or requested by the Commission. The report is submitted by the whole group, but one or more individual members of the group may also submit it;
47. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall transmit without delay to the Military Armistice Commission a copy of the report submitted by the Neutral Nations Inspection Team, in the language in which it is received. Such reports shall not be delayed by the formalities of translation or validation. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall examine such reports as soon as practicable and transmit their verdict to the Military Armistice Commission as soon as practicable. The Military Armistice Commission shall not take final action on any such report until it has received the relevant approval from the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. At the request of the Chief Member of either of the Military Armistice Commissions, the members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and members of their groups shall appear before the Military Armistice Commission to describe any reports submitted.
48. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission shall keep a double file of the reports and minutes of the meetings provided for in this Armistice Agreement, and the Commission shall have the power to keep a double file of such other reports, records, etc., as may be necessary for the conduct of its work. When the Commission was finally dissolved, one copy of the above-mentioned files was distributed to each of the parties.
49. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission may make recommendations to the Military Armistice Commission for amendments or additions to this Armistice Agreement. Such changes should generally be designed to ensure a more effective armistice.
50. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission or any member of the Commission shall have the right to communicate with any member of the Military Armistice Commission.
Article 3 Arrangements for prisoners of war
51. The release and repatriation of all prisoners of war taken in by the Parties at the time of the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement shall be carried out in accordance with the following provisions agreed upon by the Parties prior to the signing of this Armistice Agreement.
(b) Within sixty days of the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement, the Parties shall repatriate in batches all prisoners of war who insist on repatriation in their custody to the side to which they belonged at the time of their capture, without any hindrance. Repatriation shall be done in accordance with the relevant provisions of this article. In order to expedite the process of repatriation of such persons, the parties shall exchange the total number of persons to be directly repatriated by nationality prior to the signing of the armistice agreement. Each group of prisoners of war sent to the other side shall be accompanied by a list by nationality, including name, rank, if any, and detention or military number
(b) The Parties shall release the remaining prisoners of war who have not been directly repatriated from their military control and accomplication and submit them to the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission, which shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Reference of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission in the annex to this Armistice Agreement.
(c) For the avoidance of any misunderstanding that may arise from the juxtaposition of the three languages, it is hereby provided that, for the purposes of this Armistice Agreement, the act of one side handing over prisoners of war to the other side shall be referred to as "huigo" in Korean, "repatriation" in Chinese, and "repatri ation" in English, regardless of the nationality or place of residence of the prisoner of war.
52. Each Party undertakes not to use any prisoners of war released or repatriated as a result of the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement for war operations in the Korean conflict.
53. All sick and wounded prisoners of war who insist on repatriation shall be given priority in repatriation. To the extent possible, captured medical personnel are repatriated at the same time as sick and wounded prisoners of war in order to provide medical treatment and care on the way
54. The repatriation of all prisoners of war provided for in subparagraph (a) of paragraph 51 of this Armistice Agreement shall be completed within a period of sixty days after the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement. During this period, it is the responsibility of the parties to complete the repatriation of the above-mentioned prisoners of war in their custody as soon as possible.
55. Panmunjom is designated as the place where the two sides will hand over prisoners of war. The Commission for the Repatriation of Prisoners of War may, if necessary, establish additional prisoner-of-war transfer sites (or points) within the demilitarized zone.
Fifty-six, son, the establishment of a prisoner of war repatriation committee. The committee is composed of six colonel-level officers, three of whom are appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, and three by the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces. The Commission, under the general supervision of the Military Armistice Commission, is responsible for coordinating the specific plans of the parties for the repatriation of prisoners of war and for supervising the implementation by the parties of all provisions of this Armistice Agreement relating to the repatriation of prisoners of war. The Commission's tasks are: to coordinate the arrival of prisoners of war from the camps of both sides to the place (or places) of the prisoner of war, to make special arrangements as necessary for the transportation and welfare of sick and wounded prisoners of war, to deploy the Joint Red Cross team established under paragraph 57 of this Armistice Agreement to assist in the repatriation of prisoners of war, to supervise the implementation of the arrangements for the actual repatriation of prisoners of war as provided for in paragraphs 53 and 54 of this Armistice Agreement, to select, if necessary, additional places (or places) for the transfer of prisoners of war, to arrange for the security of the places (or places) for the transfer of prisoners of war, and to perform such other relevant functions as may be necessary for the repatriation of prisoners of war。
(b) In the event that the Commission for the Repatriation of Prisoners of War is unable to reach agreement on any matter relating to its mandate, it shall immediately refer such matter to the Military Armistice Commission for decision. The Commission for the Repatriation of Prisoners of War has its headquarters located near the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission.
(c) The Commission for the Repatriation of Prisoners of War shall be dissolved by the Military Armistice Commission upon completion of the plan for the repatriation of prisoners of war.
57. After the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement, a joint Red Cross Group shall be established, consisting of representatives of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Red Cross Society of the People's Republic of China on the one hand, and the representatives of the Cross Societies of the countries providing their troops to the United Nations Forces on the other. These joint Red Cross teams shall assist the Parties in the implementation of the provisions of this Armistice Agreement relating to the repatriation of all prisoners of war referred to in subparagraph (a) of Article 51 of this Armistice Agreement. In order to accomplish this task, the joint Red Cross Group assisted in the transfer of prisoners of war between the two sides at the prisoner of war transfer site (or several transfer points), and visited the prisoner of war camps of both sides to offer condolences and bring in and distribute condolences to the prisoners of war and gifts for the welfare of the prisoners of war. The Joint Red Cross team is also available to provide services to prisoners of war on their way from the prisoner of war camp to the prisoner of war transfer site.
(b) The Joint Red Cross Group shall be constituted in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) A group of 10 representatives from each party's national Red Cross Society, 20 from each side, shall assist the parties in the transfer of prisoners of war at the place (or places) where the prisoners of war are transferred. The chairperson of the group is rotated daily by representatives of the Red Cross Societies of both sides. The work and services of the team are deployed by the Prisoners of War Repatriation Commission.
(2) A group of 30 representatives from each party's national Red Cross Society, a total of 60 from both sides, visits prisoner of war camps administered by the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers, and is allowed to provide services to prisoners of war on their way from the camp to the place where the prisoners of war are handed over. The group is chaired by a representative of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or the Red Cross Society of the People's Republic of China.
(3) A group of 30 representatives from each party's national Red Cross Society, 60 from each side, will visit a prisoner-of-war camp administered by the United Nations Forces and be authorized to provide services to prisoners of war on their way from the camp to the place of transfer of prisoners of war. The group is chaired by a representative of the Crucifixion Society of a country that has provided United Nations forces with an army.
(d) In order to facilitate the performance of the tasks of each United Red Cross group, subgroups of at least two members of the group may be established, including an equal number of representatives, as circumstances so require.
(5) The commanders of the parties shall provide the Joint Red Cross teams working in the areas under their military control, with their subordinate personnel, such as drivers, clerks and interpreters, as well as the equipment necessary for the teams to carry out their tasks.
(vi) The size of any joint Red Cross group may be increased or decreased by agreement of the representatives of the two parties in the group, subject to the approval of the Committee for the Repatriation of Prisoners of War.
(c) In the performance of the functions of the Joint Red Cross Team, the Commanders of the Parties shall cooperate fully with it and shall be responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the members of the Joint Red Cross Team in the areas under their military control. The Commanders of the parties have given the teams working in their military-controlled areas the logistical, administrative and communications facilities they need.
The Joint Red Cross Group shall be dissolved upon completion of the repatriation plan for all prisoners of war who insist on repatriation, as provided for in subparagraph (a) of Article 51 of this Armistice Agreement.
58. The commanders of the parties shall, as soon as possible, but no later than ten days after the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement, provide the commanders of the opposing side with the following materials relating to prisoners of war:
(1) Complete information on prisoners of war who fled after the deadline for the most recent exchange of information.
(2) To the extent practicable, materials concerning the name, nationality, rank, and other identifying information of the prisoner of war who died while in custody, as well as the date, cause, and place of burial of the prisoner of war who died in custody.
(b) In the event that any fugitive or deceased prisoner of war is made available after the deadline for supplementary information specified above, the receiving Party shall provide the relevant information to the other side through the Committee for the Repatriation of Prisoners of War in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph 58 (a) of this Article. This information is provided every 10 days until the completion of the prisoner-of-war transfer plan.
Any fugitive prisoners of war who return to their original host after the completion of the transfer plan shall be handed over to the Military Armistice Commission.
Fifty-nine, sub, All civilians residing north of the military demarcation line established in this Armistice Agreement on 24 June 1950 and who were in the areas under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces at the time of the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement shall be assisted by the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces to return to the area north of the military demarcation line, and all civilians residing on 24 June 1950 south of the military demarcation line established in this Armistice Agreement and who were in the areas under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers at the time of the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement are willing to return home, with permission from the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, to assist him in returning to the area south of the military demarcation line. The Commanders of the Parties shall be responsible for making wide public information about the provisions of this subparagraph in their areas of military control and shall order the appropriate civilian authorities to provide the necessary guidance and assistance to all such civilians who wish to return.
(b) At the time of entry into force of this Armistice Agreement, all foreign civilians in areas under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers who wish to go to areas under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces shall be permitted and assisted to go to areas under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces. At the time of entry into force of this Armistice Agreement, all foreign civilians in areas under the military control of the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces who wish to travel to areas under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers shall be permitted and assisted to go to areas under the military control of the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers. The Commanders of the Parties shall be responsible for making a wide announcement of the provisions of this Paragraph in their areas of military control and shall order the appropriate civilian authorities to provide the necessary guidance and assistance to all such foreign civilians who wish to travel to areas under the military control of the Commanders of the opposing Party.
(c) The measures taken by the Parties to facilitate the return of civilians as provided for in subparagraph (a) of paragraph 59 of this Article and the movement of civilians as provided for in subparagraph (b) of paragraph 59 of this Article shall commence as soon as practicable after the entry into force of this Armistice Agreement.
(1) Establish a committee to assist displaced civilians in returning home. The committee is composed of four officers of the rank of colonel, two of whom are appointed jointly by the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, and two by the Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Forces. The Commission, under the overall supervision of the Military Armistice Commission, is responsible for coordinating the specific plans of the Parties for the assistance of the repatriation of the said civilians and for supervising the implementation by the Parties of all the provisions of this Armistice Agreement relating to the repatriation of the said civilians. The Commission's mandate is to make the necessary arrangements, including transportation arrangements, to expedite and coordinate the movement of the above-mentioned civilians;
(b) In the event that the Committee for the Return of Displaced Civilians is unable to reach agreement on any matter relating to its mandate, it shall immediately refer such matter to the Military Armistice Commission for decision. The Commission for the Assistance to the Return of Displaced Civilians has set up its headquarters in the vicinity of the headquarters of the Military Armistice Commission.
(3) The Commission for the Assistance in the Return of Displaced Civilians shall be dissolved by the Military Armistice Commission upon the completion of its mandate.
Article 4 Recommendations to the Governments concerned on both sides
60. In order to ensure the peaceful settlement of the Korean issue, the military commanders of the two sides hereby propose to the governments of the two sides that within three months after the signing and entry into force of the armistice agreement, send representatives to convene a high-level political conference between the two sides to discuss the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Korea and the peaceful settlement of the Korean issue.
Article 5 Supplementary Provisions
61. Amendments and additions to this Armistice Agreement shall be made by mutual agreement between the commanders of the two opposing sides.
62. The provisions of this Armistice Agreement shall remain in force until they are amended or supplemented by mutual acceptances by the Parties or expressly superseded by the provisions of an appropriate agreement for peaceful settlement between the Parties at the political level.
63. With the exception of paragraph 12, all the provisions of this Armistice Agreement shall enter into force at 22 o'clock on 27 July 1953.
At 10 a.m. on July 27, 1953, it was ordered in Korean, Chinese and English in Panmunjom, the DPRK, and all texts were equally valid.
(Signed): Kim Il Sung, Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(Signed) by Peng Dehuai, Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers
(Signed): United Nations Commander-in-Chief, United States Army General Mark Clark
Attendance:
Senior General Nam Il, Chief Representative of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers Delegation
Chief Representative of the United Nations Delegation, U.S. Army Lieutenant General William Kay Hailisheng