It is 13 years since the publication of the historic June 15 joint declaration.

All the Koreans still remember the June 15 era when the spirit for national reunification ran high all over the country and are ardently wishing for the earlier improvement of the north-south relations and opening of a new phase for reunification.

The publication of the joint declaration was a special event for the Korean nation in making steps toward ending the history of division and confrontation forced by outsiders and opening up a new era for independent reunification.

Signal events that were presented on this land after the advent of the June 15 era proved that there is nothing impossible for the Koreans to do and that they can achieve the common prosperity of the nation and reunify the country for sure if they pool their efforts.

But the advance of the June 15 era has been held back and the last legacy of the era has been placed at the peril of destruction due to the serious challenge by anti-reunification forces at home and abroad. This is truly deplorable.

South Korean businessmen are now strongly calling for the normalization of the operation in the Kaesong Industrial Zone (KIZ) and the resumption of tour of Mt. Kumgang. Families and their relatives separated in the north and the south are also craving reunion with their kinsfolk in their lifetime.

Whoever Koreans can never shun this tragic situation of today.

We have so far made every possible effort to improve the north-south ties now at a deadlock, resume tour of Mt. Kumgang, normalize the operation in the KIZ and settle humanitarian issues.

But all the sincerity and magnanimity shown by the DPRK have been denied and defiled with such sophism as "sincerity", "contradiction among southerners" and "evasion of talks between authorities".

We have never sought to create "contradiction among southerners".

We have neither treated the south side's authorities lightly nor approached it the way of making a fun of it as claimed by the south Korean authorities.

It is none other than the south Korean authorities who are abusing north-south dialogue for the purpose of escalating confrontation in a bid to meet their strategic aims

However, we have no idea of idling away time with useless word-playing and exchange of rhetoric.

If the north and the south insist on their own assertions, it will never be possible to find a way of solving pending issues between the two sides. This will further increase despair of south Korean businessmen and other people and disappointment of all fellow countrymen.

In view of the prevailing situation, the desire of all fellow countrymen and the ardent request of south Korean businessmen and other people, the CPRK clarifies the following crucial stand upon the authorization:

1. We propose holding talks between authorities of the north and the south for the normalization of the operation in the KIZ and the resumption of tour of Mt. Kumgang on the occasion of the anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration.

Such humanitarian issues as the reunion of separated families and their relatives can be discussed at the talks, if necessary.

The venue of the talks and the date for their opening can be set to the convenience of the south side.

2. We propose promptly realizing visits to the KIZ and the Special Zone for International Tour of Mt. Kumgang by south Korean businessmen and working contacts and promoting visits, contacts and cooperation among NGOs of the north and the south.

We have already approved the visits to the KIZ by businessmen and will allow the visits to the areas of the north side by south Korean businessmen concerned with the tour of Mt. Kumgang.

We also flung open the door to visits, contacts and cooperation among NGOs of south Korea.

3. We propose realizing joint national events to mark the 13th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration and jointly commemorating the 41st anniversary of the July 4 joint statement in the presence of the authorities of both sides.

The commemoration of the June 15 joint declaration and the July 4 joint statement in the presence of the authorities together with NGOs of both sides will be significant and contribute to improving the north-south ties.

4. As soon as the south Korean authorities respond to our proposal with a view to ensuring talks between the authorities of the north and the south, visits to the KIZ and Mt. Kumgang by south Korean businessmen and joint national events and smoothly settling pending issues between the north and the south, all the relevant measures concerning communications and liaison will be taken including the issue of reopening the Panmunjom Red Cross liaison channel.

Consistent is our stand to promote national reconciliation and unity and achieve reunification, peace and prosperity.

If the south Korean authorities truly stand for building confidence and improving the north-south relations, they should not miss this opportunity but positively respond to our bold decision and sincere proposal, away from misguided speculation and suspicion.