Kim Jong Il's was a sacred life of a great patriot as he made indefatigable devoted efforts to bring earlier the day of reunification, taking to his heart the sorrow of the divided nation more bitterly than anybody else.

He said that when he heard the words the 38th Parallel for the first time in his boyhood, he thought it was temporary, not permanent. Koreans are like an organism as they can live only when they become one and cannot live in separation, he added.

He provided a lot of ideological and theoretical wealth clearly visualizing the future of reunification, considering the issue of national reunification as a vital issue decisive of the destiny of the nation after he embarked upon the sacred struggle for the country and the nation.

He made public the famous work "Let Us Reunify the Country Independently and Peacefully through the Great Unity of the Entire Nation," newly clarifying the five-point policy for great national unity, the policy calling for uniting under the banners of patriotism and national reunification based on the principle of national independence, improving the north-south relations, struggling against foreign forces' domination and interference and anti-reunification forces and urging all Koreans to promote visits and contacts, develop dialogue and strengthen solidarity and alliance.

In his historic work "Let Us Carry Out the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung's Instructions for National Reunification" he formulated the three principles of national reunification, the ten-point programme for the great unity of the whole nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic Federal Republic of Koryo set forth by President Kim Il Sung as the three charters for national reunification, thereby providing an immortal banner to be held aloft by all Koreans.

In "National Reunification Should Be Achieved through Great National Unity", "National Reunification Should Be Achieved Independently by the Concerted Efforts of Our Nation", "On Having a Correct Understanding of Nationalism" and other works he led all Koreans to wage a positive struggle to meet all challenges of separatist forces at home and abroad and bring about a new phase of independent reunification in the idea of "By our nation itself."

He ushered in the June 15 era of reunification out of his noble love for the country and the nation.

The north-south summit, the first of its kind in the history of division that lasted for more than half a century, took place in June, 2000 and it culminated in the adoption of the June 15 joint declaration.

As a result, the north-south relations developed into those of co-existence and co-prosperity and there opened a new chapter of reunification recorded in history as the June 15 era of reunification.

The second north-south summit was held on October 4, 2007 and it resulted in the adoption of the "Declaration for the Development of the North-South Relations, Peace and Prosperity". This provided the Korean nation with a programme for implementing the June 15 joint declaration.

He led all Koreans in the north and the south and overseas along a wide avenue of great national unity and cooperation.

When Mausoleum of King Tangun, the founder-king of the nation, was successfully rebuilt as a historic treasure of the nation, he showed such meticulous care that Koreans in the north and the south and overseas, descendants of Tangun, might hold a nationwide inaugural ceremony of the mausoleum irrespective of ideology, social system and ism.

He made sure that compatriots overseas and from the south were invited to participate in the common event of the nation.

He took measures for joining hands with anyone ready to work for national reunification with national conscience, be he or she a capitalist or an army general or in the upper echelon of the ruling quarters irrespective of ideology and religious faith.

He personally met many compatriots from the south and overseas, infusing patriotic soul into them and helping them join the ranks of people guided by the idea of "By our nation itself".

Jong Ju Yong, former honorary chairman of Hyundai Group of south Korea, also boldly took the road of working for the nation, the road of cooperation between the north and the south, true to Kim Jong Il's noble intention of reunification and patriotism. Jong thus left clear traces of his service in the June 15 era of reunification.

Upon hearing with sorrow the news of Jong's death in March, 2001, he highly appreciated Jong's feats performed for the unity of the nation and reunification. He sent even a mourners delegation carrying with it a wreath in his name.

He received Hyon Jong Un, chairwoman of Hyundai Group of south Korea, and her party, and solved all issues raised.

He took to his arms with his broad magnanimity many persons who committed indelible crimes against the nation in the past. He told them he was ready to meet anyone anytime and would candidly discuss the issue of national reunification if he or she makes true efforts for the interests of compatriots and the nation.

In his lifetime he said he deemed it very painful to see the days of the divided country dragging on, adding how it would be nice if the people in the north would be able to see Lake Paeknok on Mt. Halla while the people in the south would be able to visit Lake Chon on Mt. Paektu when the country is reunified.

The exploits performed by him for national reunification will last forever no matter how much water may flow under the bridge.