The north side has always adhered to this stand in the effort for the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.

The joint New Year editorial said that the stand of attaching importance to the nation, the stand toward independent reunification, is the touchstone by which to distinguish patriotism from treachery. And it called on the 70 million Koreans in the north, south and abroad to join efforts and bring a new phase of independent reunification.

The DPRK government, political parties and organizations released a joint statement to overcome the present grave situation and open up a decisive phase of reunification with concerted efforts of the nation.

The north side officially proposed to the south side to early open talks between government authorities without condition and resume talks on Red Cross activities, Mt. Kumgang tourism and the Kaesong Industrial Zone as quickly as possible.

It has also taken practical steps to this effect.

The proposals the north side put forward one after another for talks with the south side in the first month of the year came out of its patriotic stand of attaching importance to the nation and achieving the country's reunification and prosperity with united efforts of the nation.

The offering is not for one side only but for the common interests of the nation and the happiness of the entire Korean people.

To create an atmosphere of distrust and confrontation within the nation, depending on outside forces and sticking to one's political view and ideology, is a treacherous act sacrificing the nation's interests for one's sake.

If a war broke out on the Korean peninsula harassed by the tension, it would not keep even ruling party and conservatives out of danger.

Besides, outside forces can never save the destiny of the nation in the war.

This is why the north side called on all concerned about the destiny of the nation to come out in dialogue, irrespective of affiliation, political view and religious belief, letting bygones be bygones.

It is high time for all the Koreans to take a patriotic stand of attaching importance to the nation.