9th North-South Ministerial Talks open
Seoul, January 22, (KCNA correspondent) -- The 9th inter-Korean Ministerial Talks were opened in Seoul today. Present at the talks from the north side were the members of the delegation led by Kim Ryong Song, chief councillor of the DPRK Cabinet, and suite members and from the south side were the members of the delegation with Jong Se Hyon, Minister of Unification, as chief delegate and suite members.The head of the north side and the chief delegate of the south side made keynote addresses at the talks.
The spokesman for the north side's delegation was interviewed by media persons. He briefed them on the address of the head of the north side.
According to him, the head of the delegation of the north side said through the current talks both sides should give a refreshing clear message to all the fellow countrymen who are watching the attitude and option of the authorities in the north and the south toward the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. He clarified the following principled stand of the north side toward the talks:
First, both sides should invariably hold fast to the historic joint declaration as a landmark for reunification common to the nation.
How to approach the joint declaration is a touchstone distinguishing between patriotism and treachery.
Second, both sides should prevent the danger of war and defend the peace of the country and the security of the nation through national cooperation to cope with the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The danger of war threatening the peace on the Korean Peninsula at present was not created by any part of Korea but by outside forces.
The DPRK's withdrawal from the NPT is a legitimate self-defensive measure taken to cope with the U.S. moves to stifle the DPRK and the unjust behavior of the IAEA toeing the U.S. line.
The outside forces' disturbance of peace will bring disasters not only to the north but to the south.
Third, both sides should firmly abide by the principle of independence for the common prosperity of the nation and continue to put into practice the issues agreed upon between the north and the south.
Cooperation for the implementation of the joint declaration has been brisk on a new higher stage since the 7th inter-Korean ministerial talks.
Important undertakings for the common interests of the nation and the balanced development of the national economy including the projects for reconnecting the East and West Coastal Rail and road links and the construction of the Kaesong Industrial Zone have reached the phase of full-dress implementation.
But all these undertakings for cooperation are now seriously hamstrung by the obstructions on the part of the outside forces who do not want the Koreans to pool their efforts.
We should more dynamically push ahead with all the undertakings for cooperation now under way after having already agreed upon them despite outsiders' escalating intervention and pressure and thus demonstrate to the world the proud appearance of the Korean nation going united. The talks continue.
