The approach to the joint national event was a touchstone distinguishing the present ruling authorities' stand to the improvement of the north-south relations and national reunification, the statement said, and went on:

But they took reluctant stand, saying "it is troublesome to hold joint event to mark June 15 before south Korea-U.S. summit and the issue will be examined within the framework of international sanctions".

This is just a serious anti-reunification act of chilling the atmosphere for holding the joint national event for improving the north-south relations and opening a new chapter for reconciliation and unity like the June 15 era as early as possible.

What all the more matters is the ridiculous attitude of the south Korean authorities who talk about improved north-south ties even though they are reading the face of the U.S. and the conservative forces without principle.

The democratic and reformist "governments" in the past did not get approval of the U.S. or agreement from the conservative forces to adopt the north-south declarations. The south Korean authorities should clearly understand this.

Allowing NGO exchanges only while evading such fundamental issues as the implementation of the north-south declaration would not bring the improvement of the north-south ties.

The hesitant stand of the present south Korean authorities leaves us skeptical as to whether it has inherited the spirit of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration and has the willingness to speak for the candlelight demonstrators.

The south Korean authorities will only be made to face the same miserable fate as the conservative regime which was denounced and cursed by the public without having any dialogue with the north during its rule, to say nothing of improving the north-south relations.

They should no longer mock the nation and the public desirous of the improvement of the north-south ties and peace and reunification of the Korean peninsula.