[Title] South-North Joint Communique(Official Translation)

Recently there were talks held both in Pyongyang and Seoul to discuss problems of improving south-north relations and unifying the divided fatherland.

Director Hu Rak Lee of the Central Intelligence Agency of Seoul visited Pyongyang from 2 to 5 May 1972 to hold talks with Director Young Joo Kim of the Organization and Guidance Department of Pyongyang. Second Vice Premier Sung Chul Park, acting on behalf of Director Young Joo Kim, also visited Seoul from 29 May to 1 June 1972 to hold further talks with Director Hu Rak Lee.

With the common desire to achieve peaceful unification of the fatherland as early as possible, the two sides in these talks had frank and open-hearted exchanges of views, and made great progress in promoting mutual understanding.

In the course of the talks, the two sides, in an effort to remove the misunderstandings and mistrust and mitigate increased tensions that have arisen between the south and the north as a result of long separation, and further to expedite unification of the fatherland, have reached full agreement on the following points:

1 . The two sides have agreed to the following principles for unification of the fatherland:

First, unification shall be achieved through independent Korean efforts without being subject to external imposition or interference.

Second, unification shall be achieved through peaceful means, and not through the use of force against each other.

Third, as a homogeneous people, a great national unity shall be sought above all, transcending differences in ideas, ideologies, and systems.

2. In order to ease tensions and foster an atmosphere of mutual trust between the south and the north, the two sides have agreed not to slander or defame each other, not to undertake armed provocations whether on a large or small scale, and to take positive measures to prevent inadvertent military incidents.

3. The two sides, in order to restore severed national ties, promote mutual understanding and to expedite independent peaceful unification, have agreed to carry out various exchanges in many fields.

4. The two sides have agreed to cooperate positively with each other to seek early success of the south-north Red Cross talks, which are underway with the fervent expectations of the entire people.

5. The two sides, in order to prevent the out-break of unexpected military incidents and to deal directly, promptly and accurately with problems arising between the south and the north, have agreed to install a direct telephone line between Seoul and Pyongyang.

6. The two sides, in order to implement the aforementioned agreed items, solve various problems existing between the south and the north, and to settle the unification problem on the basis of the agreed principles for unification of the fatherland, have agreed to establish and operate a south-north coordinating committee co-chaired by Director Hu Rak Lee and Director Young Joo Kim.

7. The two sides, firmly convinced that the aforementioned agreed items correspond with the common aspirations of the entire people, who are anxious to see an early unification of the fatherland, hereby solemnly pledge before the entire Korean people that they will faithfully carry out these agreed items. Upholding the desires of their respective superiors.

Hu Rak Lae, Young Joo Kim

July 4, 1 972