The statement said:

The October 4 declaration, a programme for implementing the June 15 joint declaration, indicates the most correct way for promoting reconciliation, unity and exchange between the north and the south of Korea and ushering in a new phase of achieving independent reunification and peace and prosperity under the banner of By Our Nation Itself.

We are sure that the contents of the declaration are very important for achieving the independent and peaceful reunification of Korea, ensuring durable peace and prosperity not only on the Korean Peninsula but in the rest of Asia and developing the inter-Korean relations.

We hold that the Korean issue should be settled in line with the resolution of the 30th session of the UN General Assembly and Korea should be reunified in the idea of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration and on the basis of the three principles of national reunification--independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity --published on July 4, 1972.

We are firmly convinced that the peace- and justice-loving heroic Korean people will certainly achieve a shining victory by foiling all the moves of the imperialists under the Songun leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea.