Host Dan 'Fig' Leaf's 2017 essay, 'An urgently practical approach to the Korean Peninsula,' won the Oslo Forum's first ever Peacewriter Prize. While policy makers have tinkered with some of his suggestions, there has been no real progress towards lasting peace and 2022 was North Korea's biggest year ever testing ballistic missiles. June 2023 marks 70 years since the Armistice was signed ended fighting during the Korean War. Seven decades of not peace and not prosperity (at least for North Korea).

Fig does not see it as a policy problem, rather a lack of vision. Strategic patience and maximum pressure were intended to maintain peace and eventually improve human rights in the DPRK. Both have failed. Agreed Framework? Failed. Six party talks? Failed. Seven decades of failure have led a region on the brink with potential nuclear consequences. The risk of war has been accompanied by a descent into hell for the common North Korean. The status quo is not just unacceptable, it is horrifying.

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