13 years have passed since the south-north summit, the first of its kind in the history of division, and the publication of the historic June 15 joint declaration in which the south and the north promised to reunify the country independently by concerted efforts of the Korean nation, the statement said, and went on:

The publication of the joint declaration resulted in bringing about remarkable events such as ushering in a new era when Koreans advance hand in hand along the road of reunification, opening sky, land and sea routes between the south and the north and making contact, cooperation and exchange brisk.

The south-north relations which had made progress toward the new era of national reconciliation, unity, reunification and prosperity were ruthlessly severed due to the Lee Myung Bak regime's policy of confrontation with fellow countrymen.

In order to open a new phase of dialogue, the present regime should roll back the policy of confrontation with fellow countrymen and clarify the stand of respecting and implementing the south-north joint declarations.

If the Koreans pool their efforts, they can certainly achieve independence, peace, reunification and common prosperity, the statement noted, calling upon all Koreans to put an end to the era of war and division through their concerted efforts.