It is the consistent stand of the DPRK to realize national unity and reunification by building up trust and reaching reconciliation between the two parts of Korea. Thanks to the DPRK’s positive effort for achieving national reconciliation, unity and reunification, the working-level talks between the authorities of the north and the south of Korea for the normalization of the Kaesong Industrial Park were resumed, saving it from the crisis of closure and putting it on the track of normal operation.
Such developments after many twists and turns inspired new hope in all the fellow countrymen yearning for the improvement of north-south relations. This shows that when the north and the south give priority to the common interests of the nation and act upon the idea of By Our Nation Itself, dialogues and relations between the two sides can be successfully promoted without fail.
The question of inter-Korean relations is of importance for the destiny of the nation today and tomorrow. The north-south relations should be developed in conformity with the nation’s aspiration and the demand of the times. On all accounts, the goal of dialogue and cooperation is to end distrust and confrontation, promote national reconciliation and unity and hasten independent reunification. And what is important in realizing dialogue and cooperation is that both sides should settle problems by subordinating everything to the great cause of reunifying the country with a firm will to improve their relations by all means. The history of inter-Korean dialogues has proved that when the north and the south dispel distrust of each other and pool their strength and wisdom in an effort to achieve the common cause of the nation, they can settle all knotty problems and develop their relations.
The DPRK has made strenuous efforts to improve its relations with south Korea and achieve peace and reunification and common prosperity in the Korean peninsula. The historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration, the landmarks of independent reunification, peace and prosperity, reflect the DPRK’s consistent line of reunification for achieving national reconciliation, unity, cooperation and exchange. The basic idea of the declarations is that the Koreans should develop north-south relations by concerted national efforts and go ahead along the road of reunification, attaining peace and common prosperity.
In the days following the adoption of the declarations, the north-south relations which had been gloomy with distrust and confrontation, changed into the relations of reconciliation, unity and cooperation based on the idea of By Our Nation Itself. Conscious that they were the parties immediately concerned in the settlement of the national problem and the reunification question, the north and the south coped together with pending issues in keeping with the common needs and interests of the nation, bringing about amazing development in succession. Even according to the statistical data of south Korea, the number of south Korean enterprises benefiting from the mutual cooperation reached 6 000, with over 25 000 jobs created. Their average annual profits reached US$ 6.12 billion.
Even when the north-south relations sank to the stage of catastrophe after the emergence of the Lee Myung Bak regime hot after confrontation with the north, the DPRK never suspended its efforts to realize national reconciliation and unity, peace and national reunification in accordance with the north-south joint declarations. At every opportunity, it made clear its will to join hands with anybody who, concerned about the destiny of the nation, wished the country’s reunification, and put forward various proposals including a proposal for dialogues between the authorities of the two parts for the improvement of their relations amid ever-aggravating situation. If south Korean authorities had showed a positive response to the generous, well-intentioned moves of the DPRK, the north-south relations would have entered upon a new phase long ago.
The endeavours of the DPRK to reject confrontation and promote inter-Korean relations through dialogue and cooperation remain immutable. In June last year the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea announced an important statement setting forth its position that talks could be held between the authorities of the north and the south on the normal operation of the Kaesong Industrial Park and other things including, if deemed necessary, the humanitarian issue of reunion of separated families and relatives. This marked a turning point in the north-south relations which had deteriorated in the previous five years. In spite of some differences, the KIP which had been on the verge of complete closure was reopened and put into normal operation.
Now it is important to advance the inter-Korean relations towards the terminal point of independent reunification and peace and prosperity by expanding dialogue and cooperation. Of course, this may possibly meet with obstacles and difficulties. However, this is a path to be traced by the Koreans themselves in the north and the south by way of removing misunderstanding and distrust and promoting reconciliation and unity. The prevailing situation in the Korean peninsula shows that dialogue and cooperation are the only right way towards reconciliation, peace and nationwide prosperity.
In future, too, the DPRK will strive all along to improve the inter-Korean relations and accomplish the historic cause of the country’s reunification by the concerted efforts of the nation.
