Rodong Sinmun Tuesday says this in a bylined article:

The inter-Korean relations would have made remarkable progress if the trend of implementing the June 15 joint declaration had continued based on the three principles of national reunification.

The prevailing situation, however, is deplorable. The achievements in the era of independent reunification are wantonly trampled on and the north-south confrontation has plunged the bilateral ties into an uncontrollable phase.

The danger of war is looming on this land due to the Lee group of traitors who dared hurt the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK and attempted to perpetrate hideous terrorism.

The Lee group denied and violated the north-south declarations the root of which is the three principles of national reunification, thus overturning the foundation of the north-south relations.

It would be impossible to expect the advance of the June 15 era of reunification and ensure the peace and reunification with the vicious group against national reunification left intact.

All the Koreans in and out are well aware through the checkered movement for the national reunification that a new era of reunification and prosperity of Korea can open only when the Korean nation shares the will and pools efforts on the principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity.

The prevailing situation teaches the Koreans a serious lesson that the gains of the June 15 era should never be lost, and helps them harden their will and resolution to carry forward the cause of national reunification without fail.