Peace Talks Break Down

The Joint Security Area within the Korean DMZ

After two days of talks within the DMZ Joint Security Area near Panmunjeom, North Korean officials walked away from negotiations at 2:40pm with little progress made. North Korea has continued to deny responsibility for the sinking of the Cheonan, and no date been set for further negotiations.

These talks arranged after a letter was sent from the North Korean government to the South Korean government last week proposing the initiation of talks on 8th February between the two states.

Ever since the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan in March 2010, relations between the DPRK and ROK had broken down. Although the ROK government was adamant that the success of the negotiations would revolve around North Korea admitting responsibility for the Cheonan sinking, the talks represented what many saw as a chance for a fresh start for diplomacy in the Korean Peninsula.