An agreement for the normalization of the zone which was adopted at the talks on the occasion of the 68th anniversary of Korea's liberation brought delight to all the Koreans strongly desirous of the improvement of the north-south relations.

The adoption of the agreement is a precious fruition by the unanimous desire and will of all the Koreans to save the zone, a precious treasure common to the nation, from the crisis of closure and make a fresh breakthrough toward the improvement of the relations between the two sides.

Articles of the agreement reflect the efforts and magnanimous stand of the DPRK and the outstanding resourcefulness and wisdom of the Korean nation to lessen the differences between the north and the south in their stands and views and reach the final goal of normalization of the zone for its development.

Clearly reflected in the agreement is the wound given to the minds of the Koreans including the sufferings and damage done to south Korean businessmen due to the issue of the zone, the broad understanding of the expectation and desires of Koreans at home and abroad for the peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region as well as the strong will for the settlement of the issue.

The whole process of adopting the agreement gave precious experience and taught a lesson that there are no problems insoluble and no obstacles insurmountable in the relations between the north and the south when the desire and interests common to the nation are put above all and everything is subordinated to them.

The adoption of the agreement has great meaning and significance to the Korean nation greeting the 68th anniversary of the country's liberation.

The tragedy of national division that followed the joy over the liberation of the country and decades of division imposed by outside force have added to the pain suffered by the Koreans, making it all the more intolerable. So much strong the Korean nation has become in their desire for reconciliation, reunification, peace and prosperity.

The adoption of the agreement at this time opened up a prospect for defusing though a bit elements of confrontation and distrust produced by history of division and saving the zone symbolic of national reconciliation, cooperation and reunification by the wisdom and efforts of the north and the south. Herein lies the significance of the agreement.

It is a sacred cause the Korean nation has to achieve by pooling its efforts to remove the tragedy of division imposed by the outsiders.

The bigger significance of the agreement lies in that it instilled into the minds of all the Koreans the conviction that the north and the south can certainly open up the new phase for reconciliation, cooperation, peace, reunification and prosperity when they set aside differences and solve issues one by one based on commonness out of understanding and broad magnanimity.

The adoption demonstrated the will and practical ability of the Koreans to creditably carry out their mission and role as the driving force for the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and make active contribution to peace and stable development of the world including the region.

As shown by the result of the talks, the Korean nation is responsible for settling the issues arising in the north-south relations.

The north and the south should take active measures to consolidate the achievements made at the talks and further expand and develop work for national reconciliation, unity, reunification and prosperity in the idea of "By our nation itself".

The peaceful environment, a precondition for improving the north-south relations, can be provided only by the common efforts by the Korean nation responsible for it.

The north and the south should take a coordinated action against any act of inciting fratricidal confrontation and escalating tensions on the peninsula which go against the desire and wishes of the nation.

Steadfast is the stand and will of the government and people of the DPRK to defend the desire and interests of the nation.

We will in the future, too, discharge our mission and duty in the struggle for nation's reconciliation, unity, reunification and prosperity.