Historic Handshake of Korean Nation

DPRK, South Korea Sign Joint Declaration

On June 13, Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and Kim Dae-jung, president of the Republic of Korea (ROK), each simultaneously extended their hands to the other at the Pyongyang Airport, the hands of the top leaders of the North and South Korea were firmly held together.

That same day, Kim Jong Il and Kim Dae-jung held a meeting, the first meeting between the top leaders of both the North and the South over the last half century and more since the split of the Korean Peninsula.

Kim Jong Il has reportedly said that this summit meeting has "created a very good precedent. In line with this precedent, it is possible to solve all questions in the future." He added, "June 13 will go down in history." Kim Dae-jung said, "Now let's come together to create this history."

The historic handshake of the leaders of the North and South of the Korean Peninsula reflects the strongest inner desire of a nation, although there has appeared a 50-odd-year division in the 20th century historical course in the Korean Peninsula, in the hearts of the North and South people, however, their desire for reunification has been growing stronger with each passing day. People often use the term "blood is thicker than water" as an analogy to the intrinsic cultural and kindred relationship of a nation. Today, from the smiling faces of the North and South Korean people, one can see the cohesion of such a strong national feeling.

Kim Dae-Jung, Kim Jong Il Hold Expanded Talks

Leaders of both the North and South sides of the Korean Peninsula have indicated that the North and the South are "one nation", and the South and North sides are one community, so they should "unite hand in hand", both sides have indicated that they will, in line with this precedent, strive to explore roads whereby they will live in peace, and will solve all existing problems one by one.

In the surging tide of world peace and development, the historic handshakes between leaders of the North and South sides of the Korean Peninsula have not only broken the hard ice and opened a way for the independent peaceful unification of the Korean nation, but have also created a favorable environment and conditions for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asian region as well as for world peace and stability. The world media have generally made positive appraisal of the historic handshakes of the Korean nation, and the world welcomes this historic handshake. Of course, much remains to be done after the handshakes, so continued efforts are required to be exerted by both sides of the North and the South.