Both North and South Korea were both simultaneously admitted into the UN in 1991 yet have followed drastically different tracks since then. In this commentary, Shin-wha Lee, Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Director of Peace and Democracy Institute at Korea University, and the President of the Korean Academic Council on the UN System, writes about the processes it took for the two Koreas’ to join the UN and the events that followed their simultaneous admission. She points out that not only has the socio-economic gap between the two countries increased since admission, but also the two Koreas have shown drastically different records regarding their international recognition. The author writes that North Korea, likely to remain isolated, will consider that the disadvantages of the structural limitations of the UN outweigh its benefits.

China, one of the parties involved in the Korean War Armistice Agreement of 1953, has shown considerable interest in President Moon’s end-of-war declaration. In this commentary, Dr. Jongho Shin, research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, analyzes China's current position, explains any potential changes regarding the declaration, and suggests ways to bring in China to support and cooperate on the declaration. China stated that, in principle, it agrees to the end-of-war declaration and has reinforced its role as a supporter. Dr. Shin offers two reasons as to why China would be interested in taking a more active stance on this matter. The author further explains two issues that require coordination between South Korea and China in resolving differences in opinion in order to realize sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula through an end-of-war declaration.