The UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution on Wednesday that welcomes and supports the inter-Korean summit held in early October and the declaration signed by the top leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea.

 

The resolution, entitled "Peace, security and reunification on the Korean peninsula," says that the summit and the declaration represent "a major milestone in improving inter-Korean relations and in advancing peace and common prosperity on the Korean peninsula and in the wider region as well."

 

The resolution encourages the DPRK and South Korea to implement the declaration "fully and in good faith, thereby consolidating peace on the Korean peninsula and laying a solid foundation for peaceful reunification."

 

It invites member states to "continue to support and assist, as appropriate, the process of inter-Korean dialogue, reconciliation and reunification so that it may contribute to peace and security not only on the Korean peninsula but also in northeast Asia and the world as a whole."

 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the General Assembly's adoption of the resolution.

 

"I am convinced that the historic inter-Korean summit will pave the way for a permanent peace regime and eventual reunification. It will lead to increased inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation, and shared prosperity," Ban said in a statement.

 

"I also believe it will act as a catalyst for continued progress in the six-party talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," he said. "It will now be of the utmost importance to implement fully the outcome of the summit."

 

He called on all member states, "in particular those engaged in the six-party talks -- to lend their valuable support in sustaining a favorable atmosphere and assisting in the implementation of the outcome."

 

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Il signed the Declaration on the Advancement of South- North Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity on October 4 in Pyongyang, the DPRK capital.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2007)