Maintaining the idea of By Our Nation Itself is essential to strengthening the movement for Korea's reunification and improving the north-south relations.

This idea was advanced at the June 15 joint declaration adopted between the north and the south of Korea in 2000 and since then, the reunification movement has made big strides on the right track of national independence.

The anti-U.S. independence sentiments mounted in south Korea and all the fellow countrymen at home and abroad, including workers, peasants, students and religionists, pooled their will and efforts for national reconciliation and cooperation, glorifying the June 15 era of reunification.

Dialogues between the north and the south turned into substantial ones producing good results for the interests common to the nation. Railways and roads which had been severed for more than half a century were reconnected between the two sides, bringing great delight to the nation.

After all, the reunification movement developed into a nationwide movement involving all Koreans, irrespective of differences in ideology, political view and religious belief.

The facts show that what is essential to advancing the reunification movement is to reject outside forces and pool the efforts of the north and the south in settling the national issue as required by the idea of By Our Nation Itself.

All Koreans are determined to achieve the reunification of the country independently in keeping with the national interests and demand by holding fast to the standpoint of By Our Nation Itself.