PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) wished an early improvement of relations with Republic of Korea (ROK), the DPRK's Rodong Sinmun said Friday.

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Peace on the Korean Peninsula and common prosperity of the Korean nation are both the common will of all Koreans and the trend of the times, the official newspaper said, adding the DPRK is taking on an active effort to ease the tension and safeguard peace on the peninsula.

However, only the unilateral effort is not enough, the article said, urging the ROK authorities to stop its confrontation against the DPRK.

ROK's Unification Ministry has declared the coming new year "the first year of the preparation for unification," which, according to a Rodong Sinmun commentary on Friday, was in effect a "reunification of political systems," and "an unrealistic dream" against "the nation's will" and would exacerbate the tension on the peninsula.

In its work report released on Wednesday, ROK's Unification Ministry proclaimed policy goals concerning the DPRK for the coming year, namely, to "induce desirable changes in the DPRK," "establish proper inter-Korean relations" and "prepare for reunification."