The Kwangju popular resistance 31 years ago provided the people an opportunity to clearly see the true colors of the U.S., Ri said, adding: Through the resistance all the people keenly realized that democracy and reunification cannot be achieved without independence.

All the progressive forces should get united to punish the present regime and realize progressive politics by inheriting the spirit of the Kwangju uprisers, Ri stressed.

The unity of progressive forces should be based the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration, Ri said, calling upon the people to vigorously struggle with optimism and conviction that independence, democracy and reunification will surely be realized.