The article goes on:

The President provided the north-south high-level political talks early in the 1970s, laying down the three principles of national reunification-- independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity--and making sure that they were solemnly clarified internally and externally through the north-south joint statement.

This offered an occasion of greeting a new turning phase in which the Koreans' national reunification movement was advancing on the principles of independence, peaceful reunification and great national unity.

There took place a historic north-south summit in June, 2000 which resulted in adopting the June 15 joint declaration the core of which is By Our Nation Itself. Seven years since then saw the adoption of the October 4 declaration. They were shining successes made in the struggle of the Korean nation to embody the three principles of national reunification.

The inter-Korean relations which had witnessed the repetition of antagonism and confrontation made progress on the orbit of reconciliation and unity in the course of implementing the inter-Korean declarations and the desire to achieve independent reunification, peace and prosperity grew strong on the Korean peninsula in those days. Such historical facts clearly proved the validity of the three principles of national reunification and their tremendous viability.

There can be no change in the fundamental principles for national reunification, no matter how much water may flow under the bridge and no matter how complicated the situation remains.

Only when all the fellow countrymen at home and overseas struggle, united close as one, holding high the banner of independent reunification as inspired by the great sun of the nation, they will see a new phase for improving the inter-Korean relations and surely achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.