Rodong Sinmun Sunday observes this in a signed article.

It goes on:

Aware of the importance and urgency of the issue of national reunification long ago, he has devoted his all to accomplishing the cause of national independence and that of national reunification for the last several decades.

Kim Jong Il, possessed of outstanding political vision and sharp insight, scientifically proved through his tireless ideological and theoretical activities the validity and truth of idea and line on the national reunification and policies on the country's reunification advanced by President Kim Il Sung at every phase of the revolutionary development, providing immortal great programmes for independent reunification to the fellow countrymen.

The historic north-south joint declaration adopted a decade ago is crystal of Kim Jong Il's idea and will for independent reunification.

In the whole course of steering the cause of national reunification, he has always firmly adhered to the principle of independence and the Juche-based stand and led the Koreans to settle the issue of the country's reunification by their concerted efforts in line with their will and interests.

He has wisely steered the nationwide struggle for preserving and implementing the historic June 15 joint declaration.

A solid foundation was laid for accomplishing the nation's independent reunification thanks to his outstanding and tested leadership over the struggle for the reunification to serve the country and the nation.

The Koreans feel the highest dignity and pride of holding him as the nation's leader in high esteem and the Korean nation has become unshakable in its faith and will to achieve the country's reunification without fail true to his idea and will.