NEUTRAL NATIONS SUPERVISORY The Armistice Agreement established a Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) as an independent, fact-finding body outside the authority of, but reporting to, the Military Armistice Commission. It is composed of four senior officers, one each from two nations selected by each side. The Agreement defines "neutral nation" as any nation whose combatant forces did not participate in the Korean war. Sweden and Switzerland were nominated by the United Nations Command; Czechoslovakia and Poland by the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers. The four members of the Commission are assisted by administrative personnel from their own countries. The mission of the Neutral Nations From the beginning of the truce, the efforts of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission to conduct investigations and inspections in the north were frustrated. The teams of the NNSC situated in the south, however, were afforded complete freedom of movement. The ports of entry authorized by the Armistice Agreement in the north were used to introduce combat material in excess of that necessary to maintain the military status quo. Therefore, at the 70th meeting of the Military Armistice Commission held on May 31, 1956, the United Nations Command announced provisional suspension of any further inspections until such time as the KPA/CPV side should honor the relevant provisions of the Armistice Agreement in the north. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Com- zone. RECORD OF THE ARMISTICE As of December 1982 the United Nations One of the most significant violations of bat material was constructed between Man- visions. The United Nations Command adhered to the Armistice status quo provisions for almost four years while the other side violated the Agreement and created a military imbalance in their favor. When it became clear that the north Koreans had no intention of abiding by these provisions, their suspension was announced by the United Nations Command at the 75th Military Armistice Commission meeting on June 21, 1957. The United Nations Command spokesman told the communists that the provisions were suspended until such The north Korean regime attempts to |