Inter

Inter-Korean Summit Held

PYONGYANG, June 14 (KCNA) – The historic inter-Korean summit was held at the Mansudae Assembly Hall today.

Present there on the north side were Kim Yong Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea = Yang Hyohg Sop, Vice-President of the Presidium of the KPRK Supreme People’s Assembly = Chow Thae Bok, Chairman of the Supreme People’s Assembly = Kim Yong Dae, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party= Ryo Won GU, Presidium Member of the C.C., the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland = An Kyong Ho, Director of the Director of the Secretariat of the Committee of the Peaceful Reunification of the fatherland = and other officials concerned.

Present there on the south side were President Kim Dae Jung = Pak Jae Gyu, Unification Minister = Ri Hon Jae, Minister of finance and Economy = Pak Ji Won, Minister of Culture and Tourism = Rim Tong Won, Special Aide to the President = and other suite members.

President Kim Yong Nam made an address.

Noting the national reunification was the great President Kim Il Sung’s life-long cause, Kim Yong Nam said last moments of his life, taking to heart the nation’s misfortune resulting from division more than anything else.

He said that warm Patriotic desire and will for reunification are concentrically reflected in the three-point charter of national Reunification, the keynote of which is the Three Principles of national Reunification, the 10-Point Programme of the Great Unity of the Whole Nation and the proposal for founding the Democratic confederal for Republic of Koryo, Which were put forward by the great leader President Kim Il Sung and formulated by the great the great leader Marshal Kim Jong Il.

The most important issue in solving the problem of national reunification is for the Korean nation to fulfil its responsibility and play its role as the one responsible for national reunification from an independent stand and the successful opening of the inter-Korean summit signifies the demonstration of the will of the Korean nation to solve the issue of reunification by itself.

It is also important for solving the issue of national reunification for the north and south to unite as members of the same nation, not standing in confrontation with each other.

He underscored the need for the north and south to unite, transcending the difference in ideals and systems.

The north proposal to determine the way to national reunification based on the forward-looking and future-oriented confederacy formula and settle all inter-Koran issues carries the noble intention to realize the nation’s desire for reunification at an early date at any cost, he noted.

President Kim Dae Jung made an address next.

He expressed his heart-felt thanks to Kim Jong Il, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of the KPRK, President Kim Yong Nam and all Pyongyang citizens for their warm welcome accorded to him and his entourage.

I didn’t expect Kim Jong Il to come to the airport personally and Pyongyang citizens to give such enthusiastic welcome to me, he said, adding these implied how ardent their

I didn't expect Kim Jong Il to come to the airport personally and Pyongyang citizens to give such enthusiastic welcome to me, he said, adding these implied how ardent their aspiration for national reunification is and fully convinced everyone that the north and south are one and the same nation.

He continued: when the south and north of Korea pool their efforts in the new century, it will emerge as the world's leading state and, if not, it will lag behind other nations.

He noted that it is important for the north and south to observe and implement the already agreed principles.

At the summit views were exchanged on a series of matters of mutual concern, including the issues of national reconciliation and unity, exchange and cooperation, peace and reunification.

The summit proceeded in an atmosphere overflowing with compatriotic feelings.

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