The publication of the declaration was of great significance in the movement of the Korean people for national reunification, the stastement said, adding:

The historic declaration was a valuable fruition of the noble patriotic will and wise guidance of leader Kim Jong Il who regarded the country's reunification as his lifetime mission.

After the publication of the declaration the reunions of separated families and relatives from the north and the south were held and brisk multi-faceted visits, contacts and economic cooperation took place between the north and the south, bringing a bright hope for reunification to all Koreans.

However, no sooner had the Lee Myung Bak and Park Geun Hye groups of south Korea taken office than they let loose anti-reunification sophism in total denial of the declaration, again driving the inter-Korean relations to the phase of confrontation and antagonism.

A touch-and-go situation is prevailing on the Korean peninsula owing to the moves of confrontation with compatriots in the north being perpetrated by the south Korean authorities against the national reconciliation, unity and reunification and the U.S. moves to stifle the DPRK.

We fully support the joint declaration, regarding it as the most reasonable and practical way for achieving the independent reunification of Korea as early as possible and ensuring peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the rest of Northeast Asia.

We call on all peace-loving people of the world to positively support the just struggle of the Korean people.