In line with this common desire and will, practical measures for implementing the declaration have been taken to yield fruit in relations between the north and the south of Korea.

Multi-lateral dialogue, negotiations, visits and contacts have been made. Basketball games for reunification and football games of workers for reunification were held in Pyongyang and Seoul and there were the reunions of families and relatives, who had remained separated for decades amidst pain of division, on the occasion of August 15.

The north and the south jointly take part in international games including the 18th Asian Games, demonstrating the resourcefulness, talents and united might of the nation.

All these are a clear manifestation of the validity and vitality of the Panmunjom declaration.

The reality proves that the Panmunjom declaration is the most realistic and rational programme for independent reunification and that the rosy future of the nation lies in its implementation.

The positive atmosphere of four months after the adoption of the April 27 declaration is clearly a favorable trend promoting the improvement of the north-south ties but it is just the first step.

There are still fundamental issues whose solution brooks no further delay, such as the comprehensive and landmark improvement and development of the north-south relations, relaxation of military tension, removal of the danger of a war, termination of the instable armistice state and establishment of stable peace mechanism on the Korean peninsula.

The north and the south should trust and take care of each other and make joint efforts to ensure the prompt implementation of the Panmunjom declaration reflecting the unanimous desire of the entire Korean nation.

No matter how the surrounding environment and situation may change, we have to firmly maintain the principle of national independence and open up the epochal phase for the improvement and development of the north-south ties.

There still lie difficulties and hurdles in the way of implementing the Panmunjom declaration.

Such a precedent in which the historic June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration failed to make epochal development and advancement due to the hostile forces' moves despite their adoption should not be repeated.

Recently south Koreans from all walks of life call for the withdrawal of the hostile policy toward the DPRK, adoption of the declaration on the end of war and conclusion of peace accord, contending that they would take the Panmunjom declaration as a "law of independent reunification, peace and prosperity" and that the improvement of the south-north relations is an urgent issue which brooks no further delay while pledging to take the lead in the implementation of the declaration if the "government" is unsure about its willingness for implementation due to the surrounding situation.

Whoever is a member of the Korean nation should turn out as one in implementing the declaration, being aware of the mission and obligation before the nation to end the history of division and confrontation and open up a new era of peace and reunification.