Speakers at the rally charged that the present regime not only brought the people's livelihood and economy to bankruptcy but is busy violating democracy as evidenced by its suppression of opposition parties, media persons and workers.

What is this, if not dictatorship, they queried, stating that nothing can be expected from the present "government" as it is hell-bent on high-handed and arbitrary practices, not afraid of the people.

They called for surely judging the dictatorial forces in the "election to local self-governing bodies" by carrying forward the fighting spirit of those who laid down their lives in the movement for independence, democracy and reunification this year marking the 10th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 joint declaration, the 50th anniversary of the April 19 Uprising and the 30th anniversary of the May 18 Kwangju Resistance.

The only way for the people to win a victory is to achieve solidarity and alliance in progressive camp, they noted, calling upon all the progressive forces to get united and fight to the last.