The Russian Association for the Study of the Juche Idea noted this in a statement on June 16.

The statement said that the June 15 north-south joint declaration adopted in June, 2000 was a landmark for Korea's reunification.

It said that the declaration adopted and published thanks to the noble and patriotic will and bold decision of leader Kim Jong Il for national reunification is of great significance in the history of the movement for Korea's reunification.

Exchange and cooperation between the north and the south of Korea became brisk thanks to the adoption of the declaration.

And a bright prospect for realizing national reunification according to the three charters for Korea's reunification was opened.

The October 4 declaration, a programme for implementing the June 15 joint declaration, was adopted in 2007.

The once brisk north-south exchange and cooperation were blocked by the anti-reunification forces that took power in south Korea.

The DPRK, the fortress of socialism, is making strenuous efforts for the peaceful reunification of the country.

The Seventh Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea stressed once again the issue of achieving the reunification of Korea by the efforts of the nation itself.