In January this year the Intelligence Service searched the houses of four members of the union by force including the deputy chief of the branch on the suspicion of possessing and distributing "literature benefiting the enemy" and forming "an enemy-benefiting organization".

In June it summoned and investigated them in a bid to punish them by invoking SL.

With no evidence in hand, however, it decided to stretch out its tentacles of suppression to the members of the civic and public organization of Inchon Branch and inhabitants who had nothing to do with Jongyojo.

It perpetrated the despicable acts of investigating even what they had done in banks as well as their activities.

The civic and public organizations including the "Inchon Solidarity for Peace and Democratic Society" vowed to intensify protest, saying the Intelligence Service's crackdown is aimed to stamp out the progressive forces.