SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SOUTH-NORTH JOINT DECLARATION ISSUED AT CONCLUSION OF HISTORIC KOREAN SUMMIT

Press Release
SG/SM/7454

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SOUTH-NORTH JOINT DECLARATION ISSUED AT CONCLUSION OF HISTORIC KOREAN SUMMIT

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General very much welcomes the South-North Joint Declaration issued at the conclusion of the historic summit between 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. The Secretary-General congratulates the two leaders for the vision and statesmanship they have demonstrated. He is convinced that the continuation of the dialogue between the two sides will have a most beneficial impact on relations between them, and on the well-being of the Korean people, as well as on regional peace and security.

The Secretary-General is of the view that the international community, including the United Nations, should support the constructive developments on the Korean peninsula and contribute to building trust and confidence there.

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