The statement recalled that the south Korean conservative forces are trying to shut down Jaju Minbo, a progressive internet paper, which has made all efforts to achieve the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.

This is reminiscent of the shuddering suppression of the media during the Park Chung-Hee's "yusin" dictatorship and the moves for forcible merger and shutdown of media organizations during the Chun Doo Hwan's military dictatorship, it said.

The moves for banning Jaju Minbo are an undemocratic act to violate the freedom of the press and stop the mouth, eye and ear of the people, it noted, adding it amounts to crackdown on all people aspiring after the north-south reconciliation, independence, peace and reunification.

The organizations of Koreans in the U.S will wage an action to defend Jaju Minbo together with the south Korean people, it said.