A recent improvement in relations between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has raised the possibility of a formal end to the Korean War. The conflict ended in a ceasefire and not a peace treaty, meaning the war is technically not over. For the thousands of South Korean veterans still alive today, seeing the war come to a formal conclusion would be welcome. Shane Hahm reports.

Ro Moo-sik is a retired Major General from the Republic of Korea Army. He enlisted to fight in the Korean War as an 18-year-old high school student.

RO MOO-SIK KOREAN WAR VETERAN "As soon as I enlisted, they taught us how to fire a rifle, load it, disassemble and assemble it. It took maybe one day to learn. Then they immediately dispatched us to the frontlines."

Ro now serves as vice chairman of the Korean War Veterans Association. He and other vets have watched relations between Seoul and Pyongyang improve over the past couple of months. They are hopeful of better ties with their brethren to the north. But firsthand experience in the war makes it difficult to trust the DPRK's peace overtures.

RO MOO-SIK KOREAN WAR VETERAN "The other side has continually tormented us. We are never the initiator."

SHANE HAHM SEOUL "About 120,000 Korean War veterans are known to still be alive here in South Korea. Memories of the three-year conflict are still fresh in their minds. That's why, despite relations between Seoul and Pyongyang improving recently, many veterans are still skeptical about the chance of a true end to hostilities."

More than a million civilians and troops from both the ROK and DPRK died during the Korean War. Another military confrontation between the two sides would be devastating.

RO MOO-SIK KOREAN WAR VETERAN "The DPRK must address disarmament and other issues to establish a peace regime. Only then can we hope for peace."

Armed conflict may have ended in 1953, but for veterans that fought in the war, their mission isn't complete until the two sides achieve a permanent and lasting peace. Shane Hahm, Seoul.