New York (CNN) -- The Korean War began 60 years ago on June 25, 1950, and it still hasn't ended. Fighting on the Korean Peninsula may have stopped with a cease-fire in July 1953, but North and South Korea have remained in a tense state of armed truce ever since, with open warfare just a hair-trigger away. The sinking of the South Korean navy vessel Cheonan on March 26 -- which an international investigation team concluded last week to be the result of a North Korean torpedo attack -- shows how volatile the situation remains between North and South. There is a real danger of the current war of words escalating into a shooting war, which would be a catastrophe for Korea and the surrounding region. But if all sides, including the United States, pull back from the brink, this tragedy may also present an opportunity to defuse tensions with North Korea and resume talks that have been on hold for the last two years.
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Charles Armstrong says new conflict between North and South shows tension unabated
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International probe shows North Korea sunk South's Navy ship, he says; South is furious
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North Korea denies role in sinking; China reluctant to weigh in on U.N. sanctions, he says
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Writer: Armed conflict threatens; but could be opportunity for new negotiations with North
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