The Swiss presence in Panmunjeom
on the 38th parallel since 1953 an important and strong link between Korea and Switzerland
The decision taken by the Swiss government in June 1953 - only six weeks before the signature of the Armistice Agreement - to participate
in the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) and the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) was undoubtedly a very
courageous one. The Swiss Army had no previous experience whatsoever in peace support operations of this kind, and Korea was very
remote from Europe at that time - not only in geographical terms. Moreover, the neutrality doctrine, as defined and applied so far, did not
seem entirely compatible with the role attributed to the neutral nations in the Armistice Agreement. Nonetheless, the Swiss government
overcame certain hesitations, considering its moral duty towards the international community and towards the Korean people to take part in
this “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 in
Panmunjeom on the 38th 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 restricted
over 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 the
delegation.
Contrary to everybody’s expectations, the presence of the Swiss delegation in the NNSC did not come to an end after a few months or years
with the conclusion of a peace treaty. Of course many things have changed since 1953: the commission now only consists of Switzerland,
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Sweden and partly Poland. The delegation counts only five Swiss officers, and its tasks have been adjusted over the years. In order to
contribute to the preservation of a peaceful situation on the Korean Peninsula, the political intent of the Swiss government to remain a part
of the Armistice Agreement as long as necessary, stays firm. It is one of the primary ingredients for the special relationship existing between
Korea and Switzerland.
In fact, almost 800 Swiss delegates have been members of the NNSC or NNRC over the last 59 years. As they have acquired a in-depth
knowledge of the country and its people, they consider themselves as sort of ambassadors for the Republic of Korea to Switzerland. The
Republic of Korea is an important part of their personal recollection. Many of them wrote articles in newspapers or even books about what
they experienced on the peninsula. This must certainly be one of the main reasons why, in early 1954, the first Swiss delegates returning
home decided to create the Swiss-Korean Association open to NNSC and NNRC veterans. They meet regularly in order to keep in touch
Dario Kuster, former President of the Swiss-Korean Association (1988-2011);
Member of the Swiss Delegation to the NNSC in 1965
among each other and to recall their memorable times spent in Korea. The association still counts 230 members today, and about half of
them gather yearly for their general assembly, which is always honored by the attendance of the Ambassador and the Defense Attaché of
the 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 38th parallel since 1953 has left a profound mark and remains an
important and strong link between the Republic of Korea and Switzerland.
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Initial meeting of the NNSC and NNRC with delegates
from Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Czechoslovakia and India
on September 21, 1953 © NNSC
Historic moment in May 2003:
Federal Councillor and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey
as she crosses in Panmunjeom the demarcation line separating
the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic
of Korea. She became the first and to this day, the only foreign
government official to cross this border. © KEYSTONE
Did you know that…
the highest grossing film in Korean history at the time of its release in 2000, J.S.A.:
Joint Security Area, revolved around a Swiss army major to the NNSC, played
by Korean actress Lee Young Ae, who is tasked to investigate a violent incident
within the DMZ? Starring famous actors such as Lee Byung Hun and Song
Kang Ho, the film had an estimated admission of 5.8 million viewers nationwide
and figures among the most famous Korean movies abroad.
알고 계셨나요?
2000년에 개봉되어 당시 최고 흥행기록을 세웠던 “공동경비구역 JSA”에는 한국의 여배우 이영애
가 중립국감독위원회 소속의 한국계 스위스인 육군 소령으로 출연했습니다. 이 영화에서 그녀는
DMZ내에서 발생한 사건의 조사를 맡았습니다. 이병헌과 송강호 등 유명 배우들이 출연한 이 영화
는 전국적으로 580만 명의 관객을 동원했으며, 세계적 명성을 얻은 한국영화 중 하나입니다.
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