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

NNSC - an instrument for building confidence on the Korean PeninsulaThe role and mission of the NNSC has partly changed over the past five years. The basis for further development was on onehand the original mission from 1953 and on the other hand a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute(SIPRI) and the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich from 2007.37In addition to the regular activities and together with the United Nations Command, and in particular with the United NationsCommand Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC), the NNSC developed the envisaged new NNSC expanded tasksabout information, education, observation and investigation. These tasks go towards building confidence and enrichingthe commission’s role as an impartial and neutral monitor of violations of the Armistice Agreement, signed on July 27, 1953.One has to be aware that these tasks can only be introduced gradually, but may be a significant contribution to the futurepeace process on the Korean Peninsula. It is in the hands of the political and military leaders to implement the opportunities,and of the “good offices” of the NNSC as an impartial and neutral observer to use the expanded tasks as an instrument ofconfidence-building on the Korean Peninsula.38At the beginning of my function as the Head of the Swiss NNSC Delegation, I had to get used to harsh rhetoric and I hadto realize that there will be no short-term solution for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Missile and nuclear tests in the North,the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan near Baengnyeong Island killing 46 seamen in spring 2010, as well as the shelling ofYeonpyeong Island in November 2010 made my mission very challenging.Interesting meetings with political and military leaders, encounters with many citizens of the Republic of Korea, very goodcooperation with the various parties involved in the peace process and especially the outstanding cooperation with the SwissAmbassador and his staff made my stay - not only for me but also for my wife, Christine - very exciting and unforgettable.Major General Jean-Jacques Joss, former Head of the Swiss Delegation to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC)from November 2007 until February 2012; President of the Swiss-Korean Association since 2012I am thankful to be able to look back to the most interesting and challenging assignment in my military career.