The statement said that the joint New Year editorial is powerfully encouraging the compatriots in Japan and overseas in their patriotic struggle for the peaceful reunification of the country.

Recalling that on Jan. 5 the DPRK government, political parties and organizations in their joint statement set forth an important proposal for settling the grave situation prevailing in the Korean Peninsula and the north-south relations and opening a new phase for peace and reunification, the statement said that when all the Koreans assert in concert and pool their wisdom and efforts, they can defuse the danger of a war and bring earlier the day of reunification.

The association recognizes the orientation and tasks for the reunification movement laid down in the joint editorial and the important proposal set forth in the above-said joint statement as a patriotic decision to open a new phase of independent reunification, peace and prosperity in reflection of the will of all the fellow countrymen for peace and reunification and unequivocally supports them, the statement noted, and continued:

If the south Korean authorities truly seek a negotiated settlement of issues, they should not talk about "sincerity" of someone but immediately respond to the DPRK's proposal.

The association will take the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration as a banner of independent reunification and a landmark for national prosperity and wage a dynamic struggle to open a decisive phase for peace on the Korean Peninsula and its reunification without fail this year.