According to recent information available from the south Korean Association for Supporting South-North Exchange and Cooperation, nearly 200 out of the south Korean enterprises involved in cooperation and exchange with the north went bankrupt from 2010 to the end of 2011 when the "May 24 step" was taken. The economic loss of the enterprises is estimated to be 9,000 billion won with the loss of about 300,000 jobs.

Those concerned of the north-south economic cooperation enterprises, disclosing this fact on August 1, submitted to the "National Assembly" a petition calling for lifting the "May 24 step".

They said they would submit this petition to the "Ministry of Unification" and propose a motion calling on the "government" to compensate for the damage done by the step.

This petition campaign was joined in by those concerned of civic and public organizations, experts on inter-Korean relations and lawmakers from opposition parties.

Lawmakers from opposition parties proposed a resolution calling for lifting the "May 24 step" on July 25.

Different circles of south Korea are growing discontent with the "May 24 step" day by day to be a strong protest, driving the regime into a tighter corner.