Trade between Switzerland and the Republic of Korea - 50 Years ...

The Swiss presence in Panmunjeomon the 38th parallel since 1953 -an important and strong link between Korea and SwitzerlandThe decision taken by the Swiss government in June 1953 - only six weeks before the signature of the Armistice Agreement - to participatein the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) and the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) was undoubtedly a verycourageous one. The Swiss Army had no previous experience whatsoever in peace support operations of this kind, and Korea was veryremote from Europe at that time - not only in geographical terms. Moreover, the neutrality doctrine, as defined and applied so far, did notseem entirely compatible with the role attributed to the neutral nations in the Armistice Agreement. Nonetheless, the Swiss governmentovercame certain hesitations, considering its moral duty towards the international community and towards the Korean people to take part inthis “adventurous undertaking in East Asia”, as some newspapers wrote then.When the first Swiss military personnel (around 100 officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers) arrived at the end of July 1953 inPanmunjeom on the 38 th parallel, in the middle of a country devastated after a dreadful war, they came as pioneers to a no-man’s-land.Nevertheless, together with their colleagues from Sweden, Poland and Czechoslovakia as well as India (in charge of the repatriations),they quickly proved to be in a position in order to execute their delicate diplomatic mandate. If this mandate gradually had to be restrictedover the following years, it was primarily due to the obstruction by the northern side and not to a lack of know-how or commitment of thedelegation.33Contrary to everybody’s expectations, the presence of the Swiss delegation in the NNSC did not come to an end after a few months or yearswith the conclusion of a peace treaty. Of course many things have changed since 1953: the commission now only consists of Switzerland,Sweden and partly Poland. The delegation counts only five Swiss officers, and its tasks have been adjusted over the years. In order tocontribute to the preservation of a peaceful situation on the Korean Peninsula, the political intent of the Swiss government to remain a partof the Armistice Agreement as long as necessary, stays firm. It is one of the primary ingredients for the special relationship existing betweenKorea and Switzerland.34Dario Kuster, former President of the Swiss-Korean Association (1988-2011);Member of the Swiss Delegation to the NNSC in 1965In fact, almost 800 Swiss delegates have been members of the NNSC or NNRC over the last 59 years. As they have acquired a in-depthknowledge of the country and its people, they consider themselves as sort of ambassadors for the Republic of Korea to Switzerland. TheRepublic of Korea is an important part of their personal recollection. Many of them wrote articles in newspapers or even books about whatthey experienced on the peninsula. This must certainly be one of the main reasons why, in early 1954, the first Swiss delegates returninghome decided to create the Swiss-Korean Association open to NNSC and NNRC veterans. They meet regularly in order to keep in touchamong each other and to recall their memorable times spent in Korea. The association still counts 230 members today, and about half ofthem gather yearly for their general assembly, which is always honored by the attendance of the Ambassador and the Defense Attaché ofthe Republic of Korea to Switzerland as well as a number of high-ranking Swiss officers.There is no doubt that the Swiss presence in Panmunjeom on the 38 th parallel since 1953 has left a profound mark and remains animportant and strong link between the Republic of Korea and Switzerland.