The adoption of the June 15 joint declaration was a special event as it put a period to the history of distrust and confrontation, which had continued for more than half a century, and ushered in a new era of national reconciliation and unity, reunification and peace and prosperity, says Rodong Sinmun Thursday in an article.

The June 15 joint declaration is a declaration of national independence and great national unity based on the idea of By Our Nation Itself and consistent with patriotism, the article said, adding:

Since its publication, signal achievements had been made one after another in the north-south relations.

It is the fundamental feature of the June 15 era of reunification that the movement for national reunification rapidly developed into a nationwide movement with all Koreans involved, irrespective of authorities, NGOs and ideology, political view, faction and party affiliation.

The June 15 banner is the signpost of peace, reunification and national prosperity and nothing is better than the road indicated by June 15. The historic June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration are the greatest documents for the north-south relations that all Koreans should respect and consider sacred, and nothing can be placed above them.

How to approach the said declarations will distinguish reunification from division, peace from war and patriotism from treachery.

The June 15 era of reunification proved in practice that the differing ideology and social system existing in the north and the south could not be a cause of confrontation and that the Korean nation can get reconciled and united and build a peaceful and prosperous, reunified country.