Rodong Sinmun Friday says this in a bylined article.

Kim Jong Il was the great sun of the nation who carried forward and developed the Juche-oriented idea and line of the country's reunification put forth by President Kim Il Sung, ensuring a triumphant advance of the Korean nation's movement for independent reunification, the article notes, and goes on:

The line of the country's reunification advanced by Kim Jong Il is a line of national independence which calls for establishing sovereignty throughout the country and achieving the independence of all members of the nation and a line of great national unity making it possible to strengthen the driving force of the country's reunification and pave the way of reunification and prosperity by dint of its might.

The idea and line of the country's reunification advanced by Kim Jong Il are embodied in the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration.

It was his invariable faith that the Koreans who have carried forward the tradition of patriotism, creating 5 000-year-long history and culture should be able to live in a reunified state at an early date.

The anti-reunification forces' challenge and obstructions have become evermore undisguised over the last more than decade. But the June 15 era of reunification has dynamically advanced and solidarity among the north, the south and overseas sides and their organized alliance have grown stronger to give momentum to the spirit of independent reunification. This would be unthinkable without the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il.

He trusted and led to the last those whom he once trusted, and helped those who have national consciousness and aspire after the country's reunification take the road of reunification and patriotism with his loving care irrespective of political view, religious belief and past career.