Kim Jong Un put up the slogan calling for opening up a broad avenue to independent reunification this year of the 70th anniversary of national liberation by the concerted efforts of all Koreans, the statement said, and went on:

Whether the tragedy of division is terminated or not entirely depends on the attitude of the south Korean authorities.

The south Korean authorities should no longer follow the U.S. but take the road of national concord and unity in response to the desire of all Koreans and the demand of history and the times.

It is the U.S. which divided Korea into two and has obstructed national reunification and imposed all misfortune and pain on the Korean nation for 70 years. Following the U.S. imperialists will invite national misfortune, pain and nuclear disaster only.

This year we will make all efforts together with the people in the north and the south to open up a broad avenue to independent reunification under the unfurled banner of By Our Nation Itself.