Noting that the Korean people regard the October 4 declaration as a programme for implementing the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration, the statement said that the June 15 declaration calls for independently settling the issue of reunification of Korea in the idea of "By our nation itself" free from any outside interference.

After the publication of the joint declaration the inter-Korean relations turned into those of dialogue, cooperation and exchange from those of antagonism and confrontation, bringing about progress inconceivable in the past, the statement recalled, expressing concern about the hurdles now lying in the way of the north-south relations.

It expressed belief that the north and the south of Korea would achieve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula by implementing the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the October 4 declaration to the letter in the idea of "By our nation itself" and attain the reunification of the country, the cherished desire of the Korean people, without fail.