Present there were the Solidarity for Social Progress, the South Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea's Reunification, the Confederation of Trade Unions, the Federation of Peasants Associations and other civic and public organizations in south Korea.

Speakers at the meeting said 32 years have passed since the uprising but the desire of its participants for independence, democracy and reunification has not come true.

They accused the present "government" of having suspended its exchange and cooperation with the DPRK under the pretext of the "Cheonan" warship case, ceaselessly staging DPRK-targeted war maneuvers and rendering the situation extremely tense.

To pool the efforts of the Koreans under the banner of the June 15 joint declaration means inheriting the spirit of Kwangju, they said, calling for carrying on the vigorous actions till a society for people is built under the uplifted banner of independence, peace and great national unity.