Thoroughgoing Implementation of Inter-Korean Declarations

Thoroughgoing Implementation of Inter-Korean Declarations   Seventeen years have elapsed since the first inter-Korean summit meeting and adoption of the June 15 Joint Declaration. The publication of the June 15 Joint Declaration was an event of weighty importance that put an end to more than half a century-long history of inter-Korean distrust and confrontation and opened a fresh era of inter-Korean reconciliation, unity, cohesion, peace and prosperity.  Recollecting the June 15 reunification era, a broad spectrum of south Koreans are highly eulogizing the undying exploits of Leader Kim Jong Il who advanced a great program of reunification common to the nation, while saying the adoption of the June 15 Joint Declaration was a brilliant fruition of his noble intention of reunification. Marking the day, ceremonies took place in Seoul and different parts of south Korea on the occasion of 17th anniversary of the adoption of the June 15 Joint Declaration.  The South Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration held a commemorative meeting in Seoul on June 15 with attendance of heads of civic bodies and its members. Lee Chang-bok, chairman of permanent representatives of the South Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration, in his speech, noted that the north and the south of Korea agreed to solve the question of the country’s reunification by the united efforts of the nation, the policy of the new government the core of which is sanctions against the north is a replica of the past regimes. The new government should not follow the footstep of the past governments and take the road of wide-range dialogue and improvement of inter-Korean ties. The Korean nation are still remembering the historic moment when the leaders of the south and the north shook hands with each other, seventeen years ago, both sides should make efforts to come to the dialogue table on the basis of mutual trust, saying good-bye to the outdated confrontation, the south side committee stressed through a statement issued on the day.      The Family Movement for Realizing Democracy held the 1 126th Thursday rally in Seoul on June 15 to demand the implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration and release of the conscientious prisoners.  The June 15 Joint Declaration that clarified the principle of independence in settling the issue of the nation elucidated again the July 4 Joint Statement that clarified the three principles of national reunification and it is time to reopen the June 15 era, Gwon O-hun, honorary chairman of the Association for Supporting Prisoners of Conscience of the Family Movement for Realizing Democracy pointed out. On the same day, the Daejeon Headquarters of the South Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration held a news conference at which it demanded the new government should take the step to heal sour inter-Korean relations through the implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration.                           The day of independent reunification, peace and prosperity would come true through persevering action for preservation and implementation of inter-Korean declarations.   The Korean nation in the north and the south and abroad should intensify the struggle against the challenge and confrontational moves of the separatists at home and abroad that have downplayed inter-Korean declarations and hindered its implementation.