This year, which witnessed epochal events to be specially recorded in the history for improvement of inter-Korean relations, is a year of great significance when a new heyday was unfolded on the Korean peninsula in the drive for independent reunification and national unity.

As of the end of last year, a touch-and-go situation, in which a war may break out any moment, prevailed in the peninsula. The international community expressed its anxiety and apprehension, claiming that the outbreak of a war on the Korean peninsula will be escalated into a world war as it is located at the point of strategic importance in the Asia-Pacific and big powers are interlocked with each other for their own interests there.

But, the reality went just in the opposite direction. In his New Year Address in 2018 Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un clarified that he would open the doors to anyone from south Korea, including the ruling party and opposition parties, organizations and individual personages of all backgrounds, for dialogue, contact and travel, if they sincerely wish national concord and unity.

Accordingly, inter-Korean high-level talks were held to be followed by the successful opening of the 23rd Winter Olympic Games in south Korea.

A climate for dialogue, reconciliation and détente, not for confrontation, began to pervade the Korean peninsula.

Kim Jong Un met members of the delegation of the south Korean president’s special envoy on their visit to Pyongyang on March 5. He said that the Winter Olympics served as a very important occasion in demonstrating the spirit and prestige of the Korean nation at home and abroad and providing an atmosphere favourable to reconciliation, unity and dialogue between the north and south. He repeatedly affirmed that it is the DPRK’s consistent and principled stand and his firm will to vigorously advance the north-south relations and write a new history of national reunification by the concerted efforts of the Korean nation before the eyes of the world.

Thanks to his steadfast patriotic will for reunification and bold decision, the third inter-Korean summit meeting and talks were held at Panmunjom on April 27 and the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula was adopted there.

The historic Panmunjom Declaration won warm welcome and unreserved support from the fellow countrymen as it reflected the firm viewpoint and stand, iron nerve and confidence to solve the reunification issue by the Korean nation itself, its master.

On May 26, Panmunjom witnessed the fourth meeting and talks between the top leaders of the north and the south 29 days after the April summit. Technical contacts in various fields were made between the north and the south, the reunion of separated families and relatives was realized and north-south military talks and the work of setting up a joint liaison office made good headway.

The fifth Pyongyang summit in September incited the Korean nation to be ablaze with ecstasy and joy. Through the adoption of the September Pyongyang Joint Declaration and the subsequent practical measures for its implementation, all the fellow countrymen came to see the thrilling reality moving towards a bright future of independent reunification, peace and prosperity.

When Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un climbed up Mt Paektu, the sacred mountain of the Korean nation, together with south Korean President Moon Jae In after the successful fifth Pyongyang summit, all the Koreans hardened their confidence that the north and the south are one nation with the same blood vessel.

A radical change was also brought about in the DPRK-US relations, along with the rapid development of inter-Korean relations.

DPRK-US summit meeting and talks took place in Singapore on June 12, drawing enthusiastic support and welcome from around the world. In-depth discussions were made about the need to establish afresh the DPRK-US relations and build a lasting and robust peace regime on the Korean peninsula.

The world media and experts unanimously commented as follows: His Excellency Kim Jong Un is steering the trend of the times for ensuring peace on the Korean peninsula and in the region and realizing Korea’s reunification. His plan and initiative to open up a new era of peace and prosperity is now enjoying full support from the international community. The cause of Korea’s reunification will surely be accomplished under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, the world-renowned statesman and peerlessly great man.

The changes of situation on the peninsula and north-south relations clearly prove that ensuring peace on the Korean peninsula and beyond and achieving the independent reunification of the country are the desire of all the fellow countrymen and the irreversible trend of the times.