The letter referred to the fact that earthquakes and volcanic phenomena have frequently occurred in various parts of the world in recent years.

The great quake that hit Japan, in particular, underscores the urgency to conduct in a foresighted and successful manner the researches into earthquake and volcanic activities on the Korean Peninsula as it is geographically located close to that country, the letter stressed.

As the north and the south agreed to positively promote the cooperation projects as regards the said joint researches at the first meeting of the Panel for Cooperation in Public Health and Environmental Protection between the North and the South held in Kaesong on December 21, Juche 96 (2007), the north side proposed those concerned of the two sides to meet in Kaesong or Mt. Kumgang at an early date to have discussion on pushing ahead with necessary cooperation including a joint research into the volcano on Mt. Paektu, a field survey of it and the holding of a scientific symposium, the letter noted.