Rodong Sinmun Friday says this in an article. It goes on:

The principle of independence is the principle of reunification common to the nation on which the north and the south agreed and confirmed before all compatriots.

The publication of the July 4 joint statement which clarified the principle of independence instilled the hope of reunification and optimism into all compatriots and since then their reunification movement could advance along the road of independence.

The October 4 declaration in the wake of the June 15 joint declaration reaffirmed the basic spirit of the latter, solemnly declaring again at home and abroad the principle of independence as the basic principle of national reunification.

In the joint declarations the north and the south promised before the entire nation to reunify the country independently with its concerted efforts.

The standpoint of By Korean Nation Itself is the idea of independence, and only when the north and the south thoroughly adhere to the principle of independence, can they reject interference and obstructions of foreign forces and pave the wide avenue for peace and reunification through brisk dialogue and cooperation.

The eye-opening successes made in the reunification movement after the publication of the June 15 joint declaration clearly proved that there is no unsolvable issue in mending the north-south relations on the principle of independence and from the standpoint of By Korean Nation Itself.

To maintain the principle of independence is the basic way for properly saving the inter-Korean relations from a crisis.

Only when the principle of independence is maintained, is it possible to create the climate for sincere dialogue between the north and the south and improve the inter-Korean relations on the basis of trust.