The piece proposes a gradual Korean Peninsula peace process built on military de-escalation, verifiable nuclear arms-control steps toward eventual denuclearization, reciprocal security guarantees, economic cooperation, and a multilateral framework.

Immediate measures should include resumed military talks, advance notification of exercises, non-aggression pledges, and U.S.-led dialogue that fully involves Seoul while converting the armistice into a peace treaty.

A Permanent Peace and Security Council involving both Koreas, the U.S., China, Japan, and Russia is suggested to monitor agreements and manage crises, with reunification retained as a long-term rather than immediate goal.

The Korean Peninsula remains a volatile conflict zone. Seven and a half decades after the Korean War, there has been no peace agreement to end the conflict, and the two Koreas technically remain at war. So long as North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile arsenal, the conflict is likely to remain a concern for regional and global powers including the US, China, Japan, and Russia.

The conflict has already spawned a powerful military alliance between the US and South Korea. Past attempts at peace on the Korean Peninsula, including those promoted by the Six-Party Talks, have run aground on denuclearization, verification, sanctions relief, and security guarantees. In short, any new approach to peace must move beyond the simplistic lenses of deterrence or immediate denuclearization. A lasting peace must be built gradually. The basis for such a peace would be (1) peaceful coexistence, (2) nuclear arms control that is verifiable in a reciprocal manner, (3) reciprocal security guarantees, (4) increased economic cooperation, and (5) a framework for peace and security involving all major powers, including the US, China, Japan, and Russia.

The first goal of a new Korean peace vision is the reduction of military confrontation. It is well known that the armistice put an........

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