Steadfast is the will and resolution of the army of the DPRK to resolutely meet challenges of all separatists at home and abroad and ensure lasting peace and security on the Korean peninsula true to the noble intention of the WPK to seek negotiated settlement of all issues including practical measures for defusing military tension and the danger of conflict in the areas along the Military Demarcation Line and in the hotspot in the West Sea.

The Ministry of the People's Armed Forces of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK Saturday sent the following notice to the south side's military authorities:

It is an urgent matter directly related to the existence of the Korean nation to defuse the military tension and prevent in advance the second June 25 Korean war on the Korean peninsula at present.

We think that it is necessary for the military authorities of the north and the south to discuss in an honest and candid manner the outstanding issues related to any possible military conflict and agree on and implement institutional and legal measures essential for taking practical steps for building confidence between militaries.

We propose to hold working-level contact for opening the north-south military authorities' talks at the date and place both sides deem convenient in late May or early June in order to defuse the military tension on the Korean peninsula and create confidence-building atmosphere between the military authorities of the north and the south.

All the Koreans in the north and the south and abroad will closely watch whether the south Korean authorities truly stand for peace on the Korean peninsula and the security of the nation.