Seoul, June 15: North Korea today marked the anniversary of a landmark summit and peace declaration three years ago with an appeal for inter-Korean unity against the United States. "All the Koreans should turn out as one in the struggle to frustrate the US moves for a nuclear war and defend the destiny of the nation in a do-or-die spirit," said Pyongyang's ruling party newspaper, ‘Rodong Sinmun’.

It said that the inter-Korean declaration reflected the will of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il to reunify the Korean peninsula.

"This was a brilliant result of his will for reunification and patriotism and marked a historic event that brought about the greatest success in the movement for national reunification."
Three years ago, Kim Jong-Il and then South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung signed a landmark declaration for peace at a summit in the communist country.

But a tense stand-off over North Korea's nuclear ambitions has dampened efforts to push through inter Korean exchanges and reconciliation, leaving the bankrupt Stalinist country isolated further.

Pyongyang made a friendly gesture toward Seoul yesterday by agreeing to resume tours to its Kumgang resort, suspended in April for fear of Sars, and to arrange reunions among separated families late this month.
Today, the two sides exchanged a list of candidate for family reunions.

Bureau Report