Youth and students held a press conference in Kwanghwamun, Seoul condemning the "government's" military nexus with Japan.

A declaration of youth and students marking August 15, the day of Korea's liberation, signed by more than one thousand representatives and members of the youth and students' organizations was made public at the conference.

The declaration said Lee Myung Bak has backed Japan's moves to turn itself into a military giant through his zealous military cooperation as evidenced by his insistence on the signing of a military agreement with Japan despite public opposition.

The declaration went on: It was against this backdrop that Lee paid a surprise visit to Tok Islets. This was little short of having two tongues in one mouth. It is nothing but a deceptive artifice to win popularity.

Japan is still refusing to make apology and reparation for its past crimes including sexual slavery.

The declaration urged Lee Myung Bak to halt his moves to conclude a military agreement with Japan and boost the military nexus with it, all aimed at allowing the advance of the "Self-Defense Forces" into the Korean Peninsula.

At least 300 civic and social organizations grouping people from all walks of life including religious and art fields held a memorial service for the participants in the anti-Japanese movement killed by the Japanese imperialists at the plaza of the Seoul City Office.

Meanwhile, the Northern Kyonggi Solidarity for Progress held a press conference in front of the Rimjin Pavilion demanding the conclusion of a peace agreement.