A ceremony to kick off the grand march for independent reunification on Mt. Paektu for celebrating the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation took place on the same day.

Present there were Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party and honorary co-chairman of the North Side Committee for Implementing June 15 Joint Declaration, Kim Wan Su, director of the Secretariat of the C.C., the Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea and chairman of the North Side Committee for Implementing June 15 Joint Declaration, officials of working people's organizations, public organizations and religious organizations and people from all walks of life.

Also present there were a delegation of Koreans in Japan for celebrating the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation, a delegation of the General Association of Koreans in China, a delegation of the Joint Secretariat of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea's Reunification, a delegation of the Federation of South Koreans in Japan for Democracy and Unification, a delegation of the International United Confederation of Koreans, a delegation of the Federation of Koreans in the U.S., a delegation of the U.S. Regional Committee of the Overseas Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration, a delegation of the Federation of Koreans in Canada, a delegation of the Federation of Koreans in Australia and the chairman of the Council of Koreans in New Zealand.

Kim Yong Dae made an opening speech.

He warmly welcomed overseas compatriots who took part in the conference for national reunification for celebrating the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation with patriotic desire and strong will for reunification.

Mt. Paektu is the holy mountain of revolution associated with the feats of President Kim Il Sung who defeated the brigandish Japanese imperialists and liberated the country, making long journeys of bloody anti-Japanese battles despite snowstorm, he said, adding:

The feats the President performed before the country and the nation will shine forever as he saved the destiny of the Koreans.

He expressed belief that the conference would give strong impetus to the grand march of the Koreans for reunification to usher in a magnificent new era of independent reunification under the leadership of Marshal Kim Jong Un, illustrious commander of Mt. Paektu.

Speeches were made at the ceremony.

At the end of the ceremony, the participants started the march, flying DPRK flags and flag of the conference in the van.