The statement released by the DPRK government on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration marked an epochal occasion in improving the north-south relations and opening a turning phase of national reconciliation and unity true to the noble will of Marshal Kim Jong Un for reunification, the statement said.

Prompted by the aspiration and desire of the whole nation for independent reunification, peace and prosperity, leader Kim Jong Il provided another north-south summit in October, 2007 when epochal events, something unprecedented in the north-south relations, were taking place in line with the trend of the June 15 era of reunification, and made sure that the October 4 declaration, the programme for implementing the June 15 joint declaration, was adopted and published, opening a bright prospect for the inter-Korean relations and the way of national reunification, it noted.

Chongryon will make every possible effort to make Koreans in Japan, who lived under the Japanese imperialist colonial rule and have suffered the pain resulting from the national division, regardless of the south Korean Residents Association in Japan, independent organizations and Japanese nationality, this significant year marking the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation, join in the drive for achieving reconciliation and unity of the Korean community in Japan and reunifying the country independently, the statement stressed.