Let Us Dynamically Wage Movement for Independent Reunification Upholding the June 15 Banner

Chairman Kim Jong Il Meets with South Korean President Kim Dae-jung Let Us Dynamically Wage Movement for Independent Reunification Upholding the June 15 Banner In June of 2000, 14 years ago, there took place a north-south summit meeting for the first time in the history of the nation’s division and a joint declaration was adopted. The June 15 joint declaration is a reunification program in the new century common to the nation, agreed on by the leaders of the north and the south and solemnly declared at home and abroad. The declaration clearly indicated the principled matters arising in realizing the national reunification independently by the concerted efforts of the nation, the ways for their implementation and other issues for inter-Korean reconciliation, multifaceted exchange and cooperation. As soon as it was made public, the declaration enjoyed the warm support and welcome of the entire nation for representing the unanimous aspiration and desire of all the Korean compatriots for independent and peaceful reunification. With the declaration adopted, the Korean nation could greet a new era of independent reunification, the June 15 reunification era, and the inter-Korean relations of distrust and confrontation for more than half a century turned to that of reconciliation and cooperation, and realizing the reunification by the concerted efforts of the nation. The wonderful reality of the June 15 reunification era is a precious fruit brought about by Chairman Kim Jong Il’s unshakable faith of patriotism for reunification and seasoned leadership. Therefore, south Koreans express their boundless gratefulness and admiration for Kim Jong Il who unfolded the new era of independent reunification with the June 15 joint declaration. They highly praise as a historical landmark shining forever in the nation’s history that Kim Jong Il arranged the historic Pyongyang meetings and adopted and published the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration to provide the nation with the reunification. Now broad circles in south Korea publish statements, press releases and declarations representing their faith in support of the June 15 joint declaration one after another and clarify their firm will to unfailingly open up a turning phase of independent reunification by the concerted efforts of the nation. Some days ago, the National Council of Priests for Justice and Peace held the 30th regular assembly and urged in its declaration the south Korean regime to implement the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration as early as possible, stop war drills and promote the inter-Korean economic cooperation for the purpose of reunification and peace. However, the inter-Korean relations which had been favorably developed after the publication of the June 15 joint declaration reached a catastrophe due to the confrontational moves of the puppet groups toeing the US line of hostility toward the north since the conservative forces took power in south Korea. Negating the June 15 joint declaration, current ruler Park Geun-hye, like her predecessor Lee Myung-bak, a pro-US conservative, is doggedly resorting to anti-DPRK confrontational rows in collusion with outsiders and further drives the situation of the peninsula into confrontation and distrust. Meanwhile, the puppet group is mercilessly suppressing personages and people from all walks of life calling for reunification by implementing the joint declarations as “north-following forces” and “enemy-benefiting elements”. Respecting and implementing the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration are the only way for improving the inter-Korean relations which are at the worst state and realizing independent reunification, peace and prosperity. All fellow countrymen in the north, south and overseas should dynamically struggle to invariably uphold the joint declarations as the milestone for independent reunification, peace and prosperity, resolutely smash the moves of the Park Geun-hye group hell-bent on confrontation against the compatriots and open up a new phase of independent reunification, in firm unity under the banner of “By Our Nation Itself”.