The adoption of the joint declaration ushered in a new history of the inter-Korean relations guided by the idea of "By our nation itself" and miraculous successes unimaginable in the era of confrontation had been made in the movement for national reunification, the editorial notes.

Hailing the joint declaration as the most valid great programme for reunification common to the nation, it goes on:

The June 15 joint declaration, agreed upon and solemnly declared to the world by the north and the south, serves as an immortal banner for national reunification as it comprises the idea and principle of the past inter-Korean agreements, including the July 4 joint statement.

The basic spirit of the June 15 joint declaration is the idea of "By our nation itself". This idea provides the homogeneous Korean nation that has the history of 5,000 years shining with brilliant culture with ideological and moral source of giving fullest play to the spirit of independence and the will for unity. The joint declaration made the struggle for independence of the nation and its great unity an irreversible trend of the times by instilling the idea of "By our nation itself", the vivid proposition of patriotism, into the hearts of the Koreans. Herein lies the weighty historic significance of the declaration.

The stand and attitude toward the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration are a touchstone distinguishing national independence from dependence on outsiders and reunification from division.

Independent reunification, peace and prosperity can never be expected without the idea of "By our nation itself".

The Koreans' cause of national reunification is sure to triumph as long as there are the most just inter-Korean declarations brightly lighting the road ahead of the era of independent reunification and the Songun politics providing reliable guarantee for them and the inexhaustible strength of all Koreans closely rallied in the idea of "By our nation itself".