The statement fully supported the tasks, and the realistic proposals for achieving national reunification and improving north-south relations Kim Jong Un set forth in the New Year address.

Thanks to his wise leadership the party, army and people of the DPRK could make world-startling headway in building a socialist economic giant and civilized nation last year, foiling the ever-increasing moves of the U.S.-led hostile forces to stifle it, the statement said.

The statement called upon the south Korean authorities to stop the large-scale war drills against the same nation, create a climate for dialogue, negotiations, exchange and contact and take practical steps for common interests of the Korean nation.

The U.S., styling itself a world "judge" and "gendarme" who is not recognized by any country to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries for its own selfish purposes, should repeal the hostile policy towards the DPRK and do things good for the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula to repair its tattered image, the statement added.

It extended firm solidarity to Korean people in their struggle for opening up a broad avenue to independent reunification by sincerely implementing the July 4 joint statement, the historic June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration.

It voiced conviction that the Korean people would make great success and progress in building a socialist economic giant and civilized nation.