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KCNA issues detailed report on third anniversary of joint declaration

KCNA

    Pyongyang, June 14 (KCNA) -- The Korean Central News Agency today issued a detailed report on the occasion of the third anniversary of the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. According to the report, the energetic guidance provided by General Secretary Kim Jong Il for carrying through the instructions of President Kim Il Sung for national reunification brought about a historic meeting of the heads of north and south Korea in Pyongyang in June Juche 89 (2000), the first of its kind in the history of national division.
    It said:
    Kim Jong Il met with the South Korean President for hours to have an open-hearted discussion on important matters related to the destiny of the nation and national reunification. This resulted in the publication of the joint declaration, the banner of reconciliation, unity and independent reunification.
    He has wisely led a struggle to preserve and implement it to the letter so that it may fully display its vitality as a declaration of national independence, unity and reunification.
    Our republic has since reacted to the U.S. hard line to stifle the DPRK with the toughest stand and decisively countered the U.S. attempt to meddle in the issue of the Korean nation by the united efforts of the nation. And it has firmly maintained the principle of solving the problems raised in such a way as to create a favorable environment for the reconciliation, unity and reunification of the nation, always placing its interests above anything else, when conducting dialogue with the U.S. and improving its relations with the countries that have long been hostile toward the DPRK.
    All the inter-Korean dialogues and contacts including ministerial talks have been held on the principle of national independence and cooperation and exchanges have taken place for the common prosperity of the nation. When an unpleasant incident occurred between the north and the south of Korea owing to the U.S. intervention and provocations, they set a good precedent by settling their issues on the basis of placing the destiny and interests of the nation above anything else.
    Former honorary chairman Jong Ju Yong of the Hyundai Group of South Korea, representatives of South Korean media organizations, the chief delegate of the south side delegation to the second inter-Korean ministerial talks, the then chairwoman of the preparatory committee for founding the "Union for the Future of Korea," a South Korean songstress and her party from Japan and other personages of South Korean political parties, groupings and circles and compatriots have visited Pyongyang one after another since the June summit meeting.
    Articles laid down in the joint declaration have been implemented to the letter. As a result, at least 60 unconverted long-term prisoners were repatriated early in September Juche 89 (2000) and reunions of separated families and relatives which had been held in Pyongyang and Seoul took place at the world-famous Mt. Kumgang Resort as more meaningful and broad-based events.
    According to information available, nearly 300 dialogues, contacts, exchanges and joint events have taken place so far since the historic Pyongyang summit meeting. Among them are inter-Korean ministerial talks, red cross talks, meetings of the north-south committee for the promotion of economic cooperation and other inter-sector talks, joint events of the nation that took place on June 15, August 15, May Day, March 1 and on many other important occasions and cooperation and exchanges in economic, public, scientific, cultural and sports and other fields.
    The last three years of inter-Korean relations showed that the nation defeated outsiders, patriotism prevailed over treachery, reunification beat division and progressives, conservatives, social classes and strata, persons in power and civilians advanced in unity only for the destiny of the fellow countrymen and the settlement of the reunification issue.
    It is the present reality of inter-Korean relations that the joy and sorrow of the northerners are considered as those of the southerners and vice versa.
    The might of patriotic Songun policy and the great vitality of the joint declaration have made the entire nation on the Korean Peninsula stand in confrontation with the U.S. and brought about a rapid growth in pro-reunification patriotic forces. Much upset by this, the reactionaries at home and abroad have become more reckless in their challenge.
    However, the Korean people's will for reunification and faith based on the spirit of the joint declaration are so firm and transparent as to emerge ever-victorious.
    No force on earth can block the dynamic march of the Koreans for reunification and they are sure to win as they are led by Kim Jong Il and there are the Songun policy very instrumental in the efforts for national independence and reunification and the June 15 joint declaration.