The article refers to the fact that there are an environment and atmosphere favorable for improving the inter-Korean relations thanks to a series of important measures taken by the DPRK recently for this purpose.

The article cites facts to prove that the south Korean authorities took a very disappointing attitude though all the Koreans sincerely wished to see the north-south relations improved and a new chapter of reconciliation and cooperation opened.

The article continues:

Hyon In Thaek and his group in south Korea have persistently vociferated about the nuclear issue pursuant to the U.S. nuclear racket against the DPRK and become more desperate than ever before in their moves to hamstring the process for dialogue and cooperation for improving the inter-Korean relations. They went the lengths of abusing humanitarian issue for attaining their sinister purpose.

The south Korean authorities including Hyon assert that there can be no improved relations unless the nuclear issue is settled. This is nothing but ridiculous sophism.

The inter-Korean relations have made steady progress thanks to the concerted efforts of the Koreans despite the reckless nuclear racket of the U.S. and its followers. They witnessed such events as two historic summits and the publication of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration, reunification programmes in the new century.

This proves that the nuclear issue can never be a hurdle in the way of improving the north-south relations and the DPRK's nuclear deterrent, a treasured sword of the nation, provides a sure guarantee for averting a war, preserving peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and ensuring smooth progress of the north-south relations.

In a bid to justify their nuclear racket against the DPRK the south Korean authorities peddle a strange assertion that south Korea should become a party to the nuclear negotiations, claiming that it is allegedly exposed to a nuclear threat, and, therefore, it should get involved in the discussion of the nuclear issue from now on, not just following it. This is, indeed, a height of cynicism.

It is clear to everybody that the DPRK's nuclear deterrent is not targeted against fellow countrymen but aimed to cope with the U.S. nuclear threat.

This being a stark fact, the south Korean authorities raise a hue and cry over "the nuclear threat from the north" and the like. This is, in a nutshell, nothing but a declaration that they would come out as a hostile party to mount a nuclear attack on the DPRK alongside foreign forces under their "nuclear umbrella".

The south Korean authorities have neither face nor qualification nor right to meddle in the discussion of the nuclear issue.

The persistent accusation made by Hyon and his group against the DPRK over its nuclear deterrent is not truly aimed to seek a solution to the nuclear issue but to join foreign forces in their moves to force the DPRK to disarm itself, stoke confrontation with it and thus torpedo the process to improve the north-south relations.

Hyon and his group have seriously insulted and mocked at the DPRK under the pretext of a petty amount of humanitarian aid goods. They are running the whole gamut of plots to abuse humanitarian issues for their sinister political purposes after raising issues of "POWs of ROK Army" and "south Korean abductees."

The POWs issue already found a solution at the time when the Korean Armistice Agreement was concluded and as for the issue of the "south Korean abductees," there are only those who defected to the north in quest of means of living.

These facts clearly prove that by peddling humanitarian issues the group of the "Ministry of Unification" including Hyon only seeks to mislead public opinion, tarnish the image of the DPRK, force it to "change" itself and thus realize their pipe dream of bringing down its system.

Hyon and his group are not only deliberately standing in the way of improving the north-south relations but behaving like a dog in the manger, slandering and insulting those who are working hard for the improved inter-Korean relations.

The inter-Korean relations cannot be a monopoly of authorities under any circumstances. They can make progress on a right track as desired and wished by the nation only when people from all walks of life in the north and the south take an active part in the process to warm them.

Non-governmental figures are playing an increasing role at present and it has become a general world trend for them to solve those problems which the government authorities fail to do.

Hyon oft-repeats that "the south would not be pulled by the north" and it would "stick to its principle" but it goes without saying that his utterances are meant to persist in his sycophancy and treachery and pursue the wrong "north policy" of confrontation with fellow countrymen to the last.

It is ridiculous enough for Hyon to make such poor excuses as the "internal situation" while misinterpreting the DPRK's magnanimity and good faith for improving the north-south relations as gestures made by it due to "sanctions".

As far as "sanctions" are concerned, they may be fatal to pro-U.S. group relying on foreign forces but the people of the DPRK remain unfazed in face of such poor racket.

The DPRK sets store by the north-south relations but will never beg for their improvement.

It will respond to dialogue with dialogue and good faith in kind but will never pardon those who dare defile its dignity and seek confrontation with it.

The south Korean authorities should not misjudge the magnanimity and good faith of the DPRK.