The statement provided the Korean people with guidelines for achieving national reunification independently and peacefully on the basis of great national unity.

The Korean people owe the joint statement to President Kim Il Sung's strong sense of patriotism and outstanding leadership.

In the early 1970s, their desire for the country's reunification was running high and the situation at home and abroad was turning in favor of the reunification.

With a deep insight into the development, the President set forth a new proposal for the country's reunification at the 5th Session of the 4th Supreme People's Assembly in April 1971.

The eight-point proposal include a free general election involving both sides of Korea, establishment of a unified and democratic central government, introduction of federation as a transitional measure, start of mutual cooperation and traveling and convocation of a north-south political consultative meeting.

On August 6, 1971, addressing a meeting of Pyongyangites held in honor of a visiting foreign state leader, the President expressed the willingness of the north to contact any south Korean political parties, including the Democratic Republic Party, and public organizations, as well as individuals.

From the next month onward, multi-channeled contacts and dialogue had taken place between the north and the south for the first time since the division of the country, which eventually led to the adoption of the historic July 4 joint statement.