Pyongyang, December 18 (KCNA) -- Civic and social organizations of south Korea, including the Association for Supporting Prisoners of Conscience of the Family Movement for Realizing Democracy and the People's Solidarity for Abrogation of the "National Security Law", held a rally in Seoul on December 15 in protest against the authorities' suppression of the progressive media.

The ralliers recalled that the police made an investigation into a journalist of Jaju Minbo, an internet newspaper, by invoking the NSL on December 14.

Such action committed over the north-related articles is a violation of freedom of speech, and this reveals despotism of the present "government", they said, adding:

The object to be punished at present is not media advocating reunification but the conservative media inciting the north-south confrontation and war and the "Grand National Party" and Chongwadae keen in sycophancy toward the U.S. and Japan and treacherous acts, irregularities and obliteration of people's right to existence.

The authorities have experienced a hot agony of shame internationally for getting hell-bent on the crackdown upon the progressive forces by dint of the NSL obstructive to independence, democracy and reunification, the ralliers charged, urging a prompt abrogation of the fascist law.