Worrying himself about the tragic national division, the President suggested having dialogue between the north and the south of Korea in his speech on August 6, Juche 60 (1971).

He advanced an epoch-making policy on having north-south wide-ranging talks, stating that the DPRK was ready to meet at any time with all political parties and social organizations, including the ruling Democratic Republican Party, and individuals in south Korea.

On May 3, 1972, he met a south Korean delegate in Pyongyang and mentioned the need to establish the principle of national reunification.

He stressed that Korea's reunification should be realized independently without outsiders' interference and by peaceful means on the principle of promoting great national unity.

At that time, the delegate made a promise to keep these three principles as the mainstay for national reunification.

The three principles of national reunification were announced through the north-south joint statement on July 4 that year to enjoy full support from people at home and abroad.

Political parties and organizations in south Korea made public statements in support of the principles.

South Korean media, too, vied with each other in introducing the three principles, describing them as "the supreme idea above all isms and doctrines" and "the best and shortest way to reunification.

Resolutions and documents supporting the principles were also adopted at the 28th and 30th UN General Assembly sessions and the non-aligned summit and FM conferences.