Rodong Sinmun today observes this in a signed article carried on the occasion of the first anniversary of the publication of the Declaration for Development of North-South Relations and Peace and Prosperity.

The October 4 declaration serves as a reunification programme common to the nation as it paved a wide avenue for all Koreans who love the country and the nation to bring earlier the reunification of the country, while promoting reconciliation, unity and cooperation under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration, the article says, and goes on:

General Secretary Kim Jong Il signed the historic October 4 declaration, thus indicating the most correct way of achieving independent reunification and peace and prosperity by the concerted efforts of the Koreans, and has provided energetic leadership for bringing about a victorious advance in the movement for national reunification. This is an undying feat performed by him in the history of the nation.

The declaration reflects the unanimous desire and wishes of all Koreans to achieve independent reunification and peace and prosperity by the concerted efforts of the Koreans.

The Lee Myung Bak group is talking about "co-existence and co-prosperity" and "dialogue" but, in actuality, busy fanning up the atmosphere of the inter-Korean confrontation, slandering and negating the June 15 joint declaration and October 4 declaration which indicate a clear way for achieving national reunification and national prosperity.

The people from all walks of life in south Korea should intensify the struggle against Lee Myung Bak, bearing in mind that their life and future depend on the struggle for smashing the Lee group's anti-reunification racket for confrontation.

All Koreans in the north and the south and abroad will surely accomplish the historic desire for national reunification by the concerted efforts of the Koreans by holding fast to the above-mentioned declarations.