Pyongyang, August 26 (KCNA) -- Elders of south Korean civic and public organizations held a press conference on August 22 at which they published a declaration demanding the authorities guarantee the political rights of teachers and government employees.

The prosecution indicted more than 1,900 teachers and government employees on the charge that they aided a progressive political party, the declaration said.

The people are expressing deep concern about the unprecedented indictment by the prosecution, pointing out that the specter of the erstwhile military dictatorial regime has been revived, it deplored.

It urged the authorities to take necessary steps so that the teachers and government employees may enjoy their political rights.

It urged the "government" to stop at once the politically-motivated suppression of the progressive forces and the prosecution to retract the indiscriminate indictment.