KCNA calls for implementation of inter-Korean declaration
Pyongyang, January 9 (KCNA) -- The June 15 North-South Joint Declaration will as always remain a banner our nation should hold high in the movement for national reunification and the stand and attitude toward the declaration is a touchstone that distinguishes between patriotism and treachery, said the joint editorial of newspapers Rodong Sinmun, Josoninmingun and Chongnyonjonwi released on the occasion of the New Year, 2003. The publication of the historic declaration in June 2000 marked an event of special significance as it opened a turning phase in the history of the movement for the reunification of the Korean nation.The declaration representing the unanimous desire of all the fellow countrymen in the north and the south and overseas and the urgent need of the times provided the Korean nation with correct guidelines for the movement for national reunification.
Last year all the Koreans dynamically advanced under the uplifted banner of the joint declaration, witnessing dramatic events unprecedented in the history of national division.
Multi-faceted talks and contacts including ministerial talks took place and the projects to reconnect rail and road links aimed to rejoin the severed ties of the nation made progress amid the concern of the public at home and abroad in the wake of Pyongyang visit of the south side's special envoy in April.
Sportspersons of the north and the south jointly entered the venue of the 14th Pusan Asian Games under the Korean Peninsula flag and joint cheering gave further momentum to the nation's desire for reunification.
This reality indicates that no matter how desperately the anti-reunification separatist forces at home and abroad may work they can never stem the strong national historic trend heading for reunification under the banner of the joint declaration.
But the U.S. and other anti-reunification forces at home and abroad are keen to stifle the DPRK, refusing to face up to the positive developments observed at a new phase after the publication of the joint declaration.
This is evidenced by the racket kicked up by separatist forces at home and abroad over the "nuclear issue" of the DPRK. Success or failure of the movement for national reunification hinges on how the nation will uphold and embody the idea of "By Our Nation Itself", the main spirit of the joint declaration.
All the Koreans should consider the joint declaration as an invariable landmark for national reunification and bring about a radical turn in carrying out the cause of reunification by the efforts of the nation itself.
