Principled matters to be abided by in promoting inter-Korean economic cooperation
KCNA
Pyongyang, May 20 (KCNA) -- Head of the delegation of the north side Pak Chang Ryon, chairman of the north side to the north-south committee for the promotion of economic cooperation who is first vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission, in his keynote speech made at the 5th meeting of the committee opened here today clarified the principled matters the parties concerned with the north-south economic cooperation should abide by in promoting the economic cooperation in the future.
He said that both sides should cooperate with each other and promote reconciliation and cooperation in the basic spirit of the June 15 Joint Declaration, no matter what others may say and how the surrounding environment may change.
He continued:
The north and the south should, among other things, regard the basic spirit of the June 15 Joint Declaration as unshakable guidelines in promoting the economic cooperation between the two sides.
The two sides should greatly value the common idea of "by our nation itself" and energetically push ahead with economic cooperation through national cooperation no matter what great challenges they may face at home and abroad.
Both sides should maintain the stand of keeping faith in economic cooperation.
It is very important for them to wipe out the mutual misunderstanding and distrust and deepen confidence to keep faith in economic cooperation.
He expressed the expectation that the two sides will successfully discuss and solve the issues raised by pooling wisdom and energy and thus make the current meeting bring good results to the fellow countrymen as it has been opened at a significant juncture when the nation will observe the third anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration.
He advanced a series of proposals for economic cooperation including the issues of reconnecting the rail and road links, the construction of the Kaesong Industrial Zone and the issue of preventing flood damage along the River Rimjin.
He dismissed the south side's attitude taken as regards the "joint statement" worked out with the U.S. as a perfidious act of running counter to the basic spirit of the joint declaration and an improper act of actively following its policy to stifle the DPRK militarily and economically.
The south side should bear in mind that the inter-Korean relations will be put at the lowest ebb and the south side will sustain an unspeakable disaster if it turns to confrontation, talking about "nuclear issue" and "additional measures," he said, adding:
The attitude taken by the south side as regards the "joint statement" is now arousing great disappointment and concern at home and abroad.
We express deep regret at this and hold that there should be an understandable clarification of it from the south side.
The head of the delegation of the south side made a keynote address at the meeting.
North side advanced a draft agreement of the current meeting.
The meeting continues.
