A national meeting was held at the People's Palace of Culture in the DPRK on May 25 to mark the 70th founding anniversary of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).

Present there were Kang Yun Sok, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Jon Sung Guk, vice-premier of the Cabinet, Ri Son Gwon, department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Choe Hui Thae, chairman of the Pyongyang Municipal People's Committee, officials of the working people's organizations, ministries and national agencies, officials concerned, those related to Chongryon and working people in Pyongyang.

On hand were the members of the group of Koreans in Japan for expressing thanks to the homeland on the 70th founding anniversary of Chongryon led by Jong Song Han, chairman of the Hokkaido Metropolitan Headquarters of Chongryon, who are visiting the socialist homeland and overseas compatriots staying in their homeland.

Kang Yun Sok made a report.

The reporter said that, together with the appellation of Chongryon, which gives unusual attachment, May 25 is recorded in the history of the country as a significant day that adds the pride of being the Koreans as all the other anniversaries of our state. The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan guided by the Juche idea was formed 70 years ago in the centre of capitalist Japan according to the desire and general will of all the Koreans in Japan, he added.

In the annals full of ups and downs, the officials of Chongryon and other Koreans in Japan, true to the ideas and leadership of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il , have waged a dynamic struggle for the victorious advance of the movement of Koreans in Japan and the peaceful life of the Korean community in Japan and shared their destiny with their socialist homeland with a single mind despite the persistent suppression and vicious moves of hostile forces, he said, referring to the exploits of the founder generation of Chongryon who created the traditions of loyalty, unity and patriotism in the alien land and bequeathed them to their descendants as their spiritual heritage.

He said that the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , who has warmly embraced Koreans in Japan as the great fellow people living in the alien land, has set it as the eternal national policy of the DPRK to prioritize Chongryon and overseas compatriots since the initial period of his revolutionary leadership and led the movement of Koreans in Japan to victory and glory.

He said that Kim Jong Un sent a historic letter "Let Us Write a New Great Chapter in the History of the Movement of Koreans in Japan by Carrying Forward the Patriotic Spirit of the Founder Generation" to the officials of Chongryon and other Koreans in Japan on the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of Chongryon, thus giving them another strategy of sure victory to carry forward the proud patriotic history of Chongryon for all ages.

He called upon all of them to dynamically advance, displaying the stamina of the indomitable Korean people for the beloved homeland, the future of Chongryon which will grow stronger and prosper and the peace and happiness of the harmonious, affluent and powerful Korean community in Japan under the leadership of Kim Jong Un .

Then, Jong Song Han, head of the group of Koreans in Japan for expressing thanks to the homeland on the 70th anniversary of Chongryon, made a speech.

He said that Chongryon could have firmly defended its proud nature even in the environment of the alien land thanks to the loving care of Kim Jong Un who, always remembering Chongryon and Koreans in Japan though he is busy ushering in a new gigantic era of comprehensive national rejuvenation, gives it strength and wisdom if necessary.

It is an extraordinary privilege and the highest honour to receive Kim Jong Un 's important letter full of the idea and affection of giving priority to Chongryon on the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of Chongryon, he said, adding that the officials of Chongryon and other Koreans in Japan are hardening their pledge of faith to hold Kim Jong Un in high esteem and dynamically cover the road of patriotism.

KCNA