The June 15 joint declaration serves as a banner for national independence and unity, he said, and continued:

I can not forget the day when all Koreans broke into cheers for Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defence Commission, signing the joint declaration with master-stroke.

The south Korean people witnessed for themselves his personality as a great man through the historic Pyongyang meeting and south-north summit.

They admired him for his outstanding political ability of giving prompt lucid answers to the complicated and difficult issues arising in the south-north relations with his rare judgment and vision and bold decision.

The reverence of people for him is now growing deep in all towns and villages of south Korea.

Voices of people from all walks of life saying "Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defence Commission, laid a solid foundation for national reunification and the eternal prosperity of the nation" and "the great feats performed by him for the sacred cause for national reunification will be handed down to posterity" are heard from the rallies reflecting public mind-set.

Posted on the internet paper Jaju Minbo and other media were such articles as "Adoption of the June 15 joint declaration was possible thanks to the steel-strong will of Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defence Commission, for national reunification" and "Independent reunification is a trend which can not be stemmed," drawing public attention.

Such deep reverence of south Koreans for him can be felt in all cities and farms and fishing villages of south Korea.

The feats he performed by opening an epochal phase of national reconciliation and unity with the idea of national independence and warm patriotic determination will shine forever.