The statement said that the joint declaration is a landmark of Korea's reunification reflecting the will and desire of all the Korean people.

It went on:

The birth of the June 15 era of reunification clearly proves that General Secretary Kim Jong Il is the father of the Korean nation and the loadstar of independent reunification.

Since then, the Korean people's will to achieve independent reunification has been more clearly proved and the history of Korea's reunification has advanced dynamically under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.

The Korean people enshrine high national pride and self-respect as they are holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem as a great leader and are firmly convinced that the cause of Korea's reunification is sure to be accomplished only when they advance along the road indicated by him.

The statement expressed belief that the Korean people would wage a dynamic struggle for achieving the country's independent and peaceful reunification under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and thus fully demonstrate the might of reunified Korea in the near future.