Attending there were members of opposition parties and civic and social organizations including the south Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and bereaved families of victims of the Ryongsan tragedy.

Speakers at the service recalled it is four decades since Jon set him on fire to death in protest against the anti-worker policy of the dictatorial regime, adding that, nevertheless, the authorities have persistently intensified suppression and a large number of workers are committing self-immolation in protest against it.

They called on the people of different circles to solidarize with each other and turn out in an anti-"government" struggle to get the right to work guaranteed.