Ri Jong Hui, representative of the Unified Progressive Party, said that the IS recently cracked down on the party under an absurd pretext that it plotted a rebellion.

Paek Ki Wan, director of the Unification Study Centre, accused the present regime of mulling setting in motion the IS to obliterate the democratic and progressive forces on this land, targeting the Unified Progressive Party. What is clear from this is that the rulers are in the grip of a crisis and the results of the fight are evident, he added.

Pak Sok Un, co-representative of the Solidarity for Progress, noted that the suppression of the Unified Progressive Party is a political operation staged by the regime and the IS to tide over the crisis and turn the situation in their favor in the wake of the disclosure of the IS's interference in the election. It is also an artifice to split the people's candlelight actions strongly protesting against them in a bid to tone down voices calling for the total reform of the IS, he charged.

Rev. Jo Hon Jong, permanent representative of a religious organization, said that the crackdown upon the opposition party is a group terrorist act against the people by the dictatorial power, adding such act of stifling democracy is little short of digging one's own grave by oneself.

Kwon O Hon, honorary chairman of the Association for Supporting Prisoners of Conscience of the Family Movement for Realizing Democracy, said that the suppression of the opposition party is an act of stifling democracy, going beyond interference in politics and violation of human rights. He declared the people would not be taken in any longer and the forces protesting against injustice and fighting for justice will win in the long run.

Read out then were a statement and a press release demanding the regime and the IS thoroughly clarify before the people the suspicion about the Unified Progressive Party's plotted rebellion.