Reunification - The Birth of a New Era
Channel: DPRK Video Archive
Date: 2013-01-05

Anti-communist page closes and a new page opens in south Korea
Solidaire, paper of the Workers' Party of Belgium, on June 28 carried an article on the inter-Korean summit talks. It notes:

- Pro-north vogue in Seoul

In south Korea it becomes a crime to speak favorably for north Korea and national reunification.

Ill-disposed propaganda has been conducted against north Korea, but today the south Koreans are renewing their knowledge of north Korea.

What is the new vogue in south Korea today? The enthusiasm to know the north has rapidly grown higher.

Publications on the north have become bestsellers, while restaurants specializing in north Korean food are packed to capacity.

TVs screen north Korean films continuously.

One and half years ago, south Koreans began to tour Mt. Kumgang in the north. The number reaches 250,000.

Lee Sang-chol, a resident in Seoul, said;

"We have already forgotten the past. We would no longer regard the north as enemy."

Youngsters in the south are fascinated by the way of life of north Korean young people. The word of 'north syndrome' is being circulated at middle schools. It has become a fashion among some students to salute as the north Korean communist children's union members do.

Students of ten universities in the south hoisted north Korean flags at their campuses as a token of welcome to the inter-Korean summit and unified flag to demonstrate oneness of the south and north.

Pasted here and there are posters reading, "Let's have a correct knowledge of north Korea" and "Let's know respected Marshal Kim Jong Il".

Students conduct such actions in defiance of threat. In south Korea there is an evil law named "National Security Law", according to which, those who speak well of the north and reunification and who hoist the north Korean flag are to receive criminal punishment.

- Red carpet and etiquette

Leader Kim Jong Il greeted President Kim Dae-jung at Pyongyang airport on June 13. He warmly shook hands with President Kim. Reporting this, the pressdom of south Korea described it as a phenomenon unprecedented in the north's etiquette history. They noted it was first that the Chairman of the National Defense Commission personally greeted a head of state at the airport. It is a traditional etiquette in Korea to pay respects to a senior. Respected Marshal Kim Jong Il opened the door of limousine for 75-year-old President Kim and waited until he seated himself comfortably. Millions of south Koreans were in an ecstasy to see this scene. Seeing the scene on TV, Lee Sook-kyong (53) clapped hands and said, "We have been entirely in the dark about such aspect of Chairman Kim Jong Il. His image is quite different from what we have imagined."

- 600,000-odd people line on streets in festive clothes

The procession left the airport and ran 16 kilometers to arrive at Pyongyang.

More than 600,000 Pyongyangites greeted the southern delegation along streets, shouting, "Kim Jong Il" and "Hurrah". They waved red and pink flowers to welcome the delegation. Kim Dae-jung was moved very much. Upon arriving at the guesthouse for foreign heads of state, he said to Chairman Kim Jong Il, "I am surprised and happy that so many people have turned out to welcome us. I deem it a boundless honor. I sincerely thank Chairman Kim Jong Il and Pyongyang citizens."

Chairman Kim Jong Il said in the following effect:

Two days ago we informed through radio that we would pass the streets. Women came out in the traditional ethnic costumes. June 13 will be recorded in history as an important day.