Attending it were representatives of the Japan Regional Committee under the Overseas Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration and overseas compatriots' organizations in the United States, Europe, Canada and other parts of the world and Korean residents of different strata in Japan.

Introduced at the meeting were congratulatory messages from the North and South Side Committees for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration, the Pan-national Alliance for Korea's Reunification and organizations of overseas compatriots in different countries.

Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), made a congratulatory speech there.

He said that it has been proven by history that the June 15 joint declaration is a great programme for national reunification and the October 4 declaration is an action programme for developing the north-south relations and achieving peace and co-prosperity of the nation.

Noting that the north-south relations have witnessed a new turning phase recently thanks to General Secretary Kim Jong Il's bold decision and wise guidance, he stressed that Chongryon and Korean residents in Japan together with all other overseas compatriots in the world would as ever creditably discharge their duty in the struggle for national reunification under the banner of "By our nation itself" full of indomitable fighting spirit and confidence that remaining faithful to Kim Jong Il's leadership guarantees the national dignity and happiness of the compatriots and posterity.

Kwak Tong Ui, co-chairman of the Overseas Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration, made a report at the meeting.

Saying that next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration, the reporter called upon the overseas Koreans to do their utmost for the independent reunification of the country and the eternal prosperity of the nation, mindful that genuine patriotism is manifested in devoting oneself to national reunification.

The floor was taken by Yang Un Sik, permanent chairman of the U.S. Regional Committee, Ri Hui Se, permanent representative of the European Regional Committee, and Jong Hwak Phil, chairman of the Canadian Regional Committee.

Then the attendants listened to a solidarity letter to the meeting from Haruki Wata, honorary professor at Tokyo University.

Read out at the meeting was a resolution titled "Let us open the gate to national reunification by defending and implementing the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration!"

Adopted at the meeting was a special statement "The Japanese authorities should sincerely apologize to the Korean nation for Japan's past crimes and redeem them".

At the end of the meeting, there was a cultural and art evening of overseas Koreans.

That day the participants of the meeting visited the Korean Hall of Chongryon.