Rodong Sinmun notes that a clear landmark was set for national reunification in the new century and a reunification programme common to the nation in the 21st century, which carries the most just principles and ways for the independent and peaceful reunification, provided with the publication of the joint declaration. It also brought about the June 15 era of reunification, a new historic era in the Korean nation's history of reunification movement, it says, and goes on:

The last decade since the publication of the joint declaration was a period of significance in which the validity and vitality of the declaration were clearly proven and all the Koreans cherished the truth that to defend and implement the declaration is essential for the development of the inter-Korean relations and peace and reunification of the country.

The birth of the June 15 era of reunification and its dynamic advance gave all Koreans the unshakable faith that General Secretary Kim Jong Il is the father of the nation and the lodestar of the independent reunification.

The past ten years, during which the Koreans' will for independent reunification was strikingly demonstrated, is woven with the traces of Kim Jong Il's wise leadership.

Boundless is the pride and self-esteem of the Korean nation holding Kim Jong Il in high esteem as its prominent leader, and all Koreans are firmly convinced that the cause of national reunification is sure to emerge victorious when they follow the road indicated by him.

The last ten year-long history of the movement for national reunification and the present reality eloquently prove that the implementation of the inter-Korean declarations and the prospect of national reunification depend on the vigorous struggle against the separatist and warlike forces at home and abroad.

All Koreans should reliably defend the idea of "By our nation itself" from all sorts of separatist sophism and make the patriotic enthusiasm and stamina to achieve the independent reunification in that spirit prevail all over the country. And they should put an end to the foreign forces' interference and domination over south Korea and resolutely frustrate the south Korean puppet authorities' policy of confrontation against reunification.

All the compatriots in the north and the south of Korea and overseas should intensify the anti-war peace struggle, getting closely united under the banner of the national reunification, irrespective of ideology, ism and system.

Minju Joson stresses that they should hold fast to the June 15 joint declaration and conduct a more vigorous struggle to thoroughly implement it.