The police searched So's house in Ryongin, Kyonggi Province that day on charges of violation of the "Security Law" for the mere reason that he conducted the human rights movement for the release of those in prison and posted articles introducing the DPRK on website.

The honorary chairman held that it is something unprecedented to crack down on by invoking the fascist law the human rights activist who is devoting himself to the prisoners of conscience, far from awarding a prize to him.

We cannot remain a passive onlooker to act of double standards such as talking about "dialogue" with the north but in actuality suppressing forces standing for reunification through south-north reconciliation and cooperation, he said.

He called upon all civic and public organizations to rise up in the massive action to check the authorities' suppression.