Japanese Police Search Business groups of Chongryon

Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) -- The Japanese reactionaries are getting hell-bent on the suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon). On December 17 the Police Agency of Japan conducted a forcible search of the Kumgang Insurance Company, a business group under Chongryon. It forcibly searched the head office of the company, its 11 branch offices across Japan and 13 persons' houses including the director, vice-director, chief and employee in coordinated operation with police headquarters of Tokyo Metropolis, Nishi Tokyo and other prefectures. This action was taken on the groundless charge that "fund was whisked away from the bank account of the company for concealment." It is said that such reckless action is the first time since the formation of Chongryon. Earlier on December 14, a joint investigation team formed with policemen of Kyoto Prefecture and four other prefectures conducted a forcible search of the office of the Football Association of Koreans in Japan at the Korean Commercial Workers Hall, claiming that they investigate the Japanese company "Emu Create's" violation of the "law on foreign exchange". Such rude action of the Japanese reactionaries is another grave provocation and heinous crime against the DPRK and Chongryon. -0-