The June 15 joint declaration, the most just one reflecting the desire and demand of the nation for the independent reunification, clarifies the fundamental principles for national reunification.

National reunification should be achieved by the efforts of the Korean nation independent of foreign forces as clarified by the joint declaration.

The Koreans in the north and the south have not yet achieved the reunification of the country, so much desired by them, even though its division has lasted more than half a century. One of its main reasons lies in the south Korean ruling forces' treachery of having persisted in the policy of sycophancy towards the U.S. and dependence on outside forces.

The principle of national independence is clearly reflected in the idea of "By our nation itself" enshrined in the joint declaration.

"By our nation itself" is the basic spirit and hard core of the June 15 joint declaration. The declaration injected the truth that national reunification should be independently achieved, free from foreign forces, into the hearts of all Koreans as a great motto of "By our nation itself", a popular and patriotic one acceptable to every Korean.

The declaration has fully demonstrated its vitality in practice.

It is the truth taught by history and the reality that the adherence to the declaration and its implementation guarantee the existence of the Korean nation and its peace and reunification.

Denial of the joint declaration would lead to confrontation and collapse of inter-Korean relations. All Koreans in the north and the south and overseas should launch a more dynamic struggle to defend and implement the joint declaration and thus decorate this year with success in the movement for national reunification.