North Korea sends rare announcement to unify its people and South Koreans

According to North Korea's state media, North Korea sent a rare announcement Thursday which was addressed to "all Koreans at home and abroad", saying that everyone should make a "breakthrough" to unite without the help of other countries. It said all Koreans should "promote contact, travel, cooperation between North and South Korea", adding that Pyongyang will "smash" all challenges against reunification of the Korean peninsula.
The announcement which was issued after a joint meeting of government and political parties, added Koreans should wage an energetic drive to defuse the acute military tension and create a peaceful climate on the Korean peninsula.
Military tension on the Korean peninsula was a huge "obstacle" for the improvement of inter-Korean relations and unification. It added joint military drills with "outside forces" has shown to be unhelpful for the development of relations between North and South Korea. North Korea did not provide details why the meeting had been held but the statement said it was aimed to support leader Kim Jong Un's remarks regarding unification from his New Year's address. It said this year is meaningful for both North and South Korea as it is the 70th anniversary of the founding of North Korea.
Earlier in the month, North Korea announced that they will send its athletes to participate in the Winter Olympics next month which will be hosted by South Korea.