Ri Ji Suk, permanent representative of the regional committee, in an opening address said the suppression of the progressive movement such as the forcible disbandment of a legitimate political party is getting serious and "witch hunting" under the pretext of eliminating "followers of the north" is going on in south Korea.

But no one can quell the desire of the nation for democracy and reunification, Ri noted, calling upon overseas Koreans to get united to conduct brisk solidarity movement of the north, the south and abroad this year.

A resolution was read out at the meeting.

We will get united under the banner of By Our Nation Itself and dynamically conduct the movement for carrying out the June 15 joint declaration by joining the compatriots in the north and the south this significant year, the resolution said, and went on:

We should bring to a halt the U.S.-south Korea joint military exercises which escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula.

We will conduct dynamic work to check the anti-DPRK leaflets scattering as it is aimed to hurt national concord and unity.

We should have the "Security Law" abolished at an early date as it is cracking down on activists and organizations for national reunification.

The meeting reelected Ri Ji Suk as permanent representative of the regional committee.