Kim Jong Il (R), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), shakes hands with Roh Moo-hyun, president of the Republic of Korea (ROK), during the welcoming ceremony for Roh Moo-hyun on the Square of April 25 Cultural Hall in Pyongyang, capital of the DPRK, Oct. 2, 2007. Roh Moo-hyun arrived here Tuesday on a three-day visit, during which he will hold talks with Kim Jong Il. This is the second inter-Korea summit in the history. (Xinhua/Korean Central News Agency) 

    UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Deputy Foreign Minister Choe Su Hon of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said here Tuesday that the ongoing inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang is of great significance in opening up a new phase for peace, co-prosperity and reunification on the Korean peninsula.

    "The North-South summit now underway in Pyongyang will be of great significance in opening up a new phase in peace, co-prosperity and reunification by taking the inter-Korean relations to a higher stage on the basis of the historic Joint Declaration and the spirit of 'our nation itself,'" Choe said in a speech delivered at the general debate of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    He said the North-South Joint Declaration of June 5, 2000, is a declaration of national independence and peaceful reunification to achieve reunification through concerted efforts in accordance with the idea of "by our nation itself" and rejecting interference of outside forces.

    "If the north and the south sit face to face with the spirit of national independence and the attitude of love for the country and nation, all problems can be surely resolved in the interests of our nation regardless of differences in ideas and systems," Choe said.

    For fulfillment of the North-South Joint Declaration and peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula, he said, "the U.S. hostile policy on the DPRK and interference in our nation's internal affairs should be brought to an end."

    He said Pyongyang will "make every effort" to bring earlier the national reunification.

    South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday for a three-day summit with DPRK leader Kim Jong Il, the second summit between the two sides since 2000.