North Korea-South Korea >> South-North Joint Declaration
South-North Joint Declaration
June 15, 2000
In accordance with the noble will of the entire people who yearn for the peaceful reunification
of the nation, President Kim Dae-jung of the Republic of Korea and National Defense Commission Chairman Kim
Jong-il of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea held a historic meeting and summit talks in Pyongyang
from June 13 to June 15, 2000.
The leaders of the South and the North, recognizing that the meeting and the summit talks
were of great significance in promoting mutual understanding, developing South-North relations and realizing
peaceful reunification, declared as follows:
- The South and the North have agreed to resolve the question of reunification independently
and through the joint efforts of the Korean people, who are the masters of the country.
- For the achievement of reunification, we have agreed that there is a common element in the
South's concept of a confederation and the North's formula for a loose form of federation. The South and the
North agreed to promote reunification in that direction.
- The South and the North have agreed to promptly resolve humanitarian issues such as
exchange visits by separated family members and relatives on the occasion of the August 15 National
Liberation Day and the question of unswerving Communists serving prison sentences in the South.
- The South and the North have agreed to consolidate mutual trust by promoting balanced
development of the national economy through economic cooperation and by stimulating cooperation and exchanges
in civic, cultural, sports, health, environmental and all other fields.
- The South and the North have agreed to hold a dialogue between relevant authorities in the near
future to implement the above agreements expeditiously.
President Kim Dae-jung cordially invited National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il to visit
Seoul, and Chairman Kim Jong-il will visit Seoul at an appropriate time.
Kim Dae-jung
President
The Republic of Korea
Kim Jong-il
Chairman
National Defense Commission
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(Signed)
June 15, 2000
Posted by USIP Library on: June 15, 2000
Source Name: Chong Wa Dae, Office of the President, Republic of Korea
Date Downloaded: June 15, 2000
