Since then, the Korean people had come into the June 15 era of reunification, demonstrating their will for independence and unity.

The advent of the era was attributable to the distinguished leadership ability and generosity of leader Kim Jong Il, who was implementing President Kim Il Sung's behests for national reunification.

He arranged a north-south summit in Pyongyang again in October Juche 96 (2007) to yield the Declaration for Development of North-South Relations and Peace and Prosperity, an action program for the June 15 Joint Declaration, putting the movement for independent reunification on a higher plane.

The inter-Korean declarations, the keynote of which is the idea of "By our nation itself", reflected the Korean people's desire and the demand of the times.

The June 15 joint declaration enjoyed full support from all Koreans, giving a momentum to the development of the north-south relations and the national reunification movement.

Reunions of families and relatives from the north and the south, separated for over half a century, took place in Pyongyang, Seoul, Mt. Kumgang Resort, Pusan, Taegu, Inchon and other places. Slogans of "Korea is one!" and "Reunification of Korea" had swept throughout the Korean Peninsula.

Meetings of organizations in the north and the south and overseas took place one after another, expanding the national reunification movement.

Railways and roads, severed between the north and the south due to the outside forces, were reconnected, Mt. Kumgang tourism by land began and the Kaesong Industrial Zone appeared.

Sportspersons of the north and the south jointly attended world championships with the flag of the Korean Peninsula while artistes traveled to the north and the south to give art performances stirring up atmosphere for national reunification.

Besides, there were contacts between workers, peasants, youth and students, women, media persons, religionists and other people of the two sides, which displayed the Koreans' strong desire and will for national reunification.

Such eye-catching achievements clearly prove that independent reunification and national prosperity are possible only when the north-south declarations are observed.