09-151.pdf

the 1956-57 events a dissolution was no longer on the agenda.
Owing to the difficulties for the NNSC to conduct its work, a
dissolution had been suggested by the South as early as 1954. A
dissolution of the NNSC was the dominating issue in 1954-55. Sweden
and Switzerland had been largely positive towards the idea of a
dissolution whereas Czechoslovakia and Poland were strongly against
it, as were China and North Korea. China’s policies contributed in
1954 to securing the Commission’s further existence. By reducing the
NNSC’s mandate, the South could more easily accept the Commission.
From 1957 onwards South Korea, which had not signed the Armistice
Agreement fearing that it would perpetuate national division but had
agreed to observe it, regarded the NNSC as a body contributing to
securing peace, as the UNC also did.
The tension between the war combatants greatly affected the
MAC, which was more and more transformed into a body not for
peacefully discussing armistice violations but for presenting each
side’s own views, including propaganda. The absence of an impartial
referee to determine violations hampered its work. Initially, mainly
the South admitted armistice violations but the number then fell.
Incidents raised include aerial overflights, border crossings and spy
cases; the war was only followed by “negative peace.”
The Foundation of the MAC and the NNSC and the First Turbulent Years
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