He said in his speech that peace and development, a common aspiration of the present era, are the pillars of the UN activities and the main objectives that regulate all the UN activities.

He went on:

Despite the efforts by a large number of UN members, peace and development are still faced with serious challenges.

It is related to the flagrant violation in the international arena of the principles of respect for sovereignty and sovereign equality enshrined in the UN Charter.

In view of the international situation in the last one year, the United Nations is required to further enhance its role and that the prevailing reality where the principles of respect for sovereignty and sovereign equality are flagrantly violated serves as a serious lesson that true peace and security can be achieved only when the states possess powerful strength of their own.

Present situation marked by increased hostile acts against our country demands that we hold higher the banner of self-sufficiency and self-reliance in the socialist construction.

We have solid foundations of self-supporting economy, reliable scientific and technical forces and invaluable tradition of self-reliance; these are our precious strategic resources which cannot be bartered for anything.

The historic inter-Korean declarations which greatly excited the fellow countrymen in the north, south and overseas as well as the international community just one year ago are now in the standstill without even advancing into the main phase of implementation.

It is attributable to the double-dealing behavior of the south Korean authorities who performed the act of "handshake of peace" before the world people, but behind the scene introduce ultra-modern offensive weapons and hold joint military exercises with the U.S. targeting the DPRK.

The improvement of inter-Korean relations can only be achieved when the south Korean authorities put an end to the big power worship and the policy of dependence on foreign forces encroaching upon the common interests of the nation and fulfil their responsibility assumed before the nation by implementing the inter-Korean declarations in good faith.

The government of the DPRK will develop and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation with all countries of the world that respect its sovereignty with friendly attitude, and will work hand in hand with all peace-loving forces of the world to establish a lasting and durable peace regime on the Korean peninsula.