• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

August 15 Nat'l Meeting for Independence, Peace and Reunification Held in Seoul

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

    Seoul, August 15 (KCNA Correspondent) -- The August 15 national meeting for independence, peace and reunification was held at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul Monday. The meeting discussed the ways for the Koreans in the north and the south and overseas to realize the three forms of cooperation for national independence, for peace against war and for reunification and patriotism with the June 15 joint declaration as a milestone of national reunification, defend the sovereignty of the nation and open an epochal phase of national reunification by the concerted efforts of the nation. Present there were Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland Kim Ki Nam and Minister of Unification of south Korea Jong Tong Yong who are heading the delegations of the authorities of the north and the south, co-chairpersons of the preparatory committees of the joint functions of Koreans in the north, the south and overseas for the implementation of the June 15 joint declaration, delegates of the political parties and public organizations and sectional delegates from the north side, delegates of the political parties and delegates of stratum, sectors and regions from the south side and delegates of organizations of the movement for national reunification and peace movement and other organizations organized in different countries and regions including China, Russia, Japan, the United States, Canada and Europe from the overseas side.
    Paek Rak Chong, chairman of the south side's preparatory committee, in a speech said that they should confirm the pursuance of reconciliation, unity and common interests of the nation as an irreversible trend of the times and more extensively establish in all realms the stance of masters to independently settle the reunification issue by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation, calling upon the 70 million fellow countrymen to pool their wisdom and will and pave the way for reunification. An Kyong Ho, chairman of the north side's preparatory committee, in a speech said: In order to put an end to the tragedy of the nation's sufferings forced by outside forces it is important to totally remove the remnants of deep-rooted distrust and confrontation between the north and the south. He called for getting rid of the old concept, recognizing mutual existence, respecting, trusting and uniting with each other, cultivating the independent strength of the nation and promoting co-existence and co-prosperity through multi-faceted cooperation.
    Kwak Tong Ui, co-chairman of the overseas side's preparatory committee, in a speech said that the grim situation that the danger of a nuclear war by the U.S. is growing in the Korean Peninsula day by day and Japan's distortion of history and attempt to grab Tok Islet are becoming undisguised urgently requires the nation to firmly establish the independent stand and cope with them by the concerted efforts of all the Koreans. An appeal to the 70 million compatriots was adopted at the meeting.
    At the end of the meeting the delegates from the north, the south and abroad joined in the sports and amusement games for national unity.
    The participants enjoyed a performance given by artistes of the south side. Meanwhile, the south side's preparatory committee gave a banquet in honor of the participants in the evening.
    Minister of Unification of south Korea Jong Tong Yong arranged a luncheon in honor of the delegation of the authorities of the north headed by Kim Ki Nam.
    The delegates of the authorities of the north and the south held a joint commemoration at the Paekbom Memorial Monday.