Tensions in the Korean Peninsula have recently rapidly abated, possibly offering peace for the region for the first time in 70 years. On 27 April this year, the heads of state from North and South Korea met to discuss a permanent cessation of hostilities, thereby paving the way for a de-nuclearization of the region. This was followed by a historic summit between the US and North Korea on 12 June 2018 in Singapore.
Developments this year stand in sharp contrast to events in 2017 that saw increased missile testing by Pyongyang.
While history was made on 27 April 2018 with the signing of the Panmunjom Declaration, designed to usher in ‘a new era of peace’ between the two countries, there is still much to be done by way of denuclearising the Korean Peninsula – not least because this is a contested term to the parties involved.