Detente on Korean Peninsula staves off nuclear threats but the uncertainty still looms large

In 2018, the detente on Korean Peninsula which had been achieved by diplomatic efforts by South Korean President Moon Jae-in, staved off nuclear threats by the hermit kingdom; however, the uncertainty still looms large.

비무장 지대 내에 매설된 지뢰를 제거하는 한국 국인들. Source: Reuters

With a single step forward in truce village Panmunjom on April 27, Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), crossed the concrete block dividing the peninsula into two parts before shaking hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

This simple gesture symbolized a significant first step towards peace on the Korean Peninsula.

A total of three inter-Korean summits, three China-DPRK summits and the first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit took place in 2018, making those who were worried by the prospect of a potential nuclear war heave a sigh of relief.

Can the remarkable progress made with efforts of different stakeholders bring long-awaited, lasting peace to the peninsula? Uncertainties remain as the U.S. government has imposed new sanctions on the DPRK and a second Trump-Kim meeting is pending.

Korean Program comprehensively analyses the perspectives from Australian government, media and academics on the status quo of the Korean peninsula.