The statement said:

Rev. Han's visit to the northern half of Korea on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the June 15 joint declaration was a revelation of his resolute will to instill into the fellow countrymen the ardent patriotic desire for achieving reunification in the spirit of the June 15 joint declaration and give continuity to the trend of the independent reunification even at the cost of his life.

His determination to visit the northern half of Korea and his patriotic action to realize it are warmly supported by all Koreans as it was a just and righteous act to preserve and implement the joint declaration and achieve national reconciliation and reunification.

Nevertheless, the south Korean authorities issued even a "warrant of arrest," blustering that they would arrest and punish him on charges of the violation of the notorious "National Security Law" when he comes back. They are resorting to such dastardly farce as setting in motion ultra-right conservative gangsters to let loose a spate of vituperations against him.

Worse still, they let the south Korean Red Cross unhesitatingly make inhuman remarks that it would not accept the return of Rev. Han to the area of the south.

The North Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration bitterly denounces with burning national resentment the Lee Myung Bak group's attempt at the unreasonable fascist suppression of Rev. Han as an unpardonable criminal act of ruthlessly trampling down upon the faith and conscience of a religionist desirous of promoting national concord and peace and the freedom and right to conduct his activities for reunification.

The Lee Myung Bak group's attempt at the fascist suppression of even the pro-reunification champion who visited the north is an unpardonable treacherous act of allowing treachery to prevail over patriotism.

The south Korean authorities should stop at once the unreasonable suppression of Rev. Han and in case they arrest him, they will not be able to escape strong protest and condemnation from the public at home and abroad.