They included the Solidarity for Democratic Society, the Confederation of Trade Unions and the Pastorate Council for Realizing Justice and Peace.

Speakers at the conference charged that the Ssangyong Motors, the Hanjin Heavy Industry, the Daewoo Motors and other enterprises dismissed workers at random, driving them to death. The enterprises cited the layoff system as a pretext and this dismissal was carried out under the patronage of the "government" and the "Grand National Party".

Voices calling for settling the issue are increasing in all parts of south Korea, they said, adding that the "government" and the GNP turned a deaf ear to those voices and are pressing for the policy of stamping out the trade unions.

They declared that 71 political parties and civic and religious organizations would form an all-people committee for withdrawing the layoff and honoring the memory of victims and launch an action.

They would probe the truth behind the layoff through the "National Assembly" and hold a NA hearing, they said.