ABSTRACT
In June of 2000, the first summit meeting between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (the DPRK, or North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (the ROK, or South Korea) took place. The leaders of both countries held frank discussions regarding nationalism and other issues concerning the Korean peninsula. Both leaders also agreed to independently resolve the unification issue, recognize a common path toward unification, resolve humanitarian issues, invigorate balanced development of a common economy and exchanges in a variety of areas, and resume meetings between officials from each country, as well as a reciprocal visit to Seoul by Kim Jong Il. The agreement signed by both leaders became known around the world as the “June 15 Joint Declaration.”
