Rodong Sinmun Wednesday says this in an article.

Without defusing the north-south confrontation, is it hard to expect improvement of the inter-Korean relations or the achievement of independent reunification, peace and prosperity by the concerted efforts of the Koreans, the article notes, and goes on:

Only when the confrontation is terminated, is it possible to wipe out the misunderstanding and distrust between the north and the south and promote trust and reconciliation between them.

Defusing the confrontation would provide a guarantee for creating an environment for improving the north-south relations and restoring the blood ties between the members of the nation.

The north-south confrontation precisely means a political and military showdown. Being compatriots, the north and the south have no reason whatsoever to stand in confrontation.

Now that the issue of mending the inter-Korean relations has come to the fore, it is necessary to pay a primary attention to defusing the confrontation.

The north and the south should refrain from provocative mud-slinging at each other, prompted by the desire to terminate their abnormal relations of escalating tension without any dialogue and work for reunification, and promote common interests. Only by doing so is it possible to defuse the tension and create an environment favorable for improving the north-south relations.

At the crucial historic juncture decisive of whether the north-south relations get worse or improve, to defuse the confrontation between compatriots or not would draw a clear demarcation line between patriotism and treachery.