The Declaration on the Advancement of South-North Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity, signed by 
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Il of the National Defense 
Commission, has opened a new era of peace and prosperity in the inter-Korean relations.

Through signing the Declaration, President Roh and Chairman Kim have reconfirmed their firm 
will for the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization of the peninsula. The 
two leaders agreed to speed up the construction of a common economic bloc for the South and the North 
to seek co-prosperity through economic cooperation in various fields.

The Declaration has paved a way for institutionalizing the Inter-Korean relations to move forward the 
South-North relationship.


1. Positive implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration

The South and the North agreed to adhere to the basic spirit of the June 15, 2000 Joint Declaration 
and positively translate it into action. They will achieve the reunification of the motherland independently 
on the basis of inter-Korean national solidarity and the dignity and interests of the Korean people. 
They will seek ways of honoring the June 15 Joint Declaration.


2. Developing Inter-Korean Relations into those of Mutual Respect and Trust

The South and the North have agreed to commit themselves to developing inter-Korean relations on 
the basis of mutual respect and trust, transcending differences in ideology and systems. They have 
also agreed not to intervene in each other’s internal affairs; to resolve all issues in the interest of 
reconciliation, cooperation and reunification; to revise their legal and institutional systems, and 
seek talks and contacts on a sector-by-sector basis, such as joint sessions of the national assemblies.


3. Reducing Military Tension and Building Trust

The South and the North agreed to work closely together to end their hostile military relations, reducing 
tension and securing peace on the Korean Peninsula. They agreed to ease military tensions, resolve 
disputes through dialogue and negotiations, oppose war on the Peninsula, and adhere strictly to their 
commitment to nonaggression. They will hold a defense ministers’ meeting in Pyongyang in November 
to discuss military confidence-building measures.


4. Cooperation on the Implementation of the February 13 Agreement of the Six-Party 
Talks & Establishment of a Peace Regime

The South and the North both recognize the need to end the current armistice regime and build a 
permanent peace regime. The South and the North agreed to work together with other countries directly 
involved in this matter to declare an end to the Korean War and implement the February 13 
Agreement and the September 19 Joint Declaration, both regarding the denuclearization of the Korean 
Peninsula, smoothly.


5. Expansion and Advancement of Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation/Creation of a 
Special Peace and Cooperation Zone in the West Sea

The South and the North agreed to facilitate, expand, and further develop inter-Korean economic 
cooperation projects continuously; to promote economic cooperation through investments, 
infrastructure projects, natural resources development; and to give preferential treatment to each other in 
consideration of the special nature of inter-Korean cooperation. The two Koreas will create a “special 
peace and cooperation zone in the West Sea,” expedite the completion of the first-phase 
construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, promptly start the second-stage projects in the 
complex, and open freight rail services to the GIC. Other cooperative measures will include improving 
personnel transportation, communication, and customs clearance procedures, repairing the Gaeseong-
Sinuiju rail link and the Gaeseong-Pyongyang expressway, building joint shipyards in Anbyeon and 
Nampo, and pursuing joint projects related to agriculture, health and medical services and environmental 
protection. They will also upgrade the status of the existing Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion 
Committee to a Joint Committee for Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation, headed by deputy prime ministers.

On the occasion of the summit, the Korean government will strive to turn short-term or one-time economic 
cooperative projects into long-term interactive ones.

The economic cooperation measures will allow the two Koreas to promote mutual interests, thus 
helping cement peace on the Korean Peninsula. Pursuing economic growth in both the South and the 
North via inter-Korean economic cooperative projects, the two sides aim to forge an economic community.


6. Promotion of Mutual Growth Through Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation

Recognizing that Inter-Korean economic cooperation is integral in promoting mutual interests and 
prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, the two leaders agreed to facilitate, expand, and further develop 
inter-Korean economic cooperation projects in accordance with the principles of common interest, co-
prosperity and mutual aid.

In addition, the two leaders agreed that military concerns will not stand in the way of inter-Korean 
cooperation projects, thus allowing immediate implementation of various projects that have been on hold 
because of military considerations. They also agreed on military guarantees regarding economic cooperation 
projects specified under the Declaration for the Advancement of South-North Korea, Peace and Prosperity.

Through the follow-up measures of the agreements, the government will further promote mutual 
understanding and exchanges. Based on this, the government plans to create a stable, 
business-friendly environment.


7. Promotion of Exchanges and Cooperation in Social and Cultural Areas

The South and the North agreed to boost exchanges and cooperation in history, language, education, 
science and technology, culture and arts, and sports. In the area of tourism, the two Koreas will open 
tours to Mt. Baekdu and open nonstop flight services between Seoul and Mt. Baekdu for this purpose. 
A South-North joint cheering squad will be sent to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, using the Seoul-
Sinuiju Railway Line on the way to Beijing.


8. Promotion of Humanitarian Cooperation Projects

The South and the North agreed to promote humanitarian projects; to expand reunions of separated family 
members and their relatives and promote exchanges of video messages; to station resident representatives 
from each side at the reunion center to be established in Mt. Geumgang. The two sides will positively 
cooperate in times of natural disasters and other emergencies.


9. Joint Efforts on the International Arena

The South and the North agreed to increase cooperation to promote the interests of all Koreans and 
the rights and interests of overseas Koreans on the international stage. 




Cheong Wa Dae
http://www.president.go.kr