On July 27, 1953, the United Nations Command reached an armistice with China and North Korea. A demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established along the 38th parallel, and, following controversial allegations that North Korea had abused and murdered prisoners of war (POWs), the process of repatriating POWs underwent “neutral nation” management. Critically, the terms of the armistice were tacitly approved but never formally signed on to by the South Korean government. Hence, peace between the North and the South remains fragile.