A secretary of the Central Committee of North Korea’s ruling Workers' Party says South-North relations are again facing serious challenges.
 
Secretary Kim Ki-nam made the remark at a Workers’ Party general meeting on Monday. The meeting was held to mark the 16th anniversary of the appointment of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il as the first secretary of the ruling party.
 
The secretary said the North will work to realize the unification of the two Koreas by upholding the June 15th Joint Declaration and the October fourth summit declaration.
 
Senior officials from the government, party and military attended the meeting but North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Kim’s uncle, Jang Song-thaek were not present.  
 
Kim Jong-il succeeded his father, Kim Il-sung, as the first secretary of the Workers’ Party on October eighth, 1997.