The chairman of the Central Committee of the Union of Agricultural workers of Korea said this in a statement on Friday.

The inter-Korean relations are facing the worst phase due to the sinister provocative acts of insulting the dignity and social system of the DPRK while seeking "unification of systems" that incites distrust and conflict between the north and the south, the statement noted, and went on:

Now is the time for the north and the south to break with the dark past in order to bring the bright future of independent reunification, peace and prosperity and rewrite a new chapter in the history of inter-Korean relations.

Nothing is impossible if the Korean nation shares one purpose and joins efforts.

In hearty response to the New Year address which calls for opening up a broad avenue to independent reunification by the concerted efforts of the entire nation this year of the 70th anniversary of national liberation, the agricultural workers of the DPRK will wage a dynamic struggle to carry out the tasks set forth in the address.

We will join hands with the farmers in the south to conduct diverse brisk activities such as the anti-war, peace movement for removing war danger from the Korean peninsula and creating a peaceful climate and thus discharge our responsibilities and duties for national reunification.

We call on the farmers in the south to make the hot wind of the June 15 era rage throughout Korea once again and thus actively contribute to displaying before the whole world the nation's will and stamina for reunification.