Civic delegations of the two Koreas held a unification rally and adopted a five-point declaration on Wednesday, the second day of inter-Korean celebrations in Pyongyang.

The statement underlined the Korean people's will for South-North co-existence as one people based on the spirit of the June 15 Joint Declaration signed at the 2000 inter-Korean summit.

It also called for mutual cooperation, removal of nuclear dangers, strengthened status of the June 15 joint committee and the designation of a special day honoring the June 15 Declaration.

Meanwhile, the South's chief civic delegate, Paik Nak-chung, stressed cross-border dialogue and expanded cooperation, further momentum to defuse military tensions and accelerate peace efforts, and active inter-Korean exchange across diverse regions and sectors. He also expressed hope for a successful staging of August 15th joint events marking Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

North Korean chief delegate Ahn Kyuong-ho responded that the only way to defend peace is to buttress Korea's power.

The joint events in Pyongyang commemorate the fifth anniversary of the June 2000 inter-Korean summit.

The South's delegations, comprising 300 civilians and 40 government officials, will return home Friday.