N Koreans criticise Japan over pro-Pyongyang school

Pyongyang, Mar 9: North Korean citizens have criticized Japan for suspending a procedure to include pro-Pyongyang schools for Korean residents in Japan.

The citizens also slapped a Japanese court decision to allow the government-backed Resolution and Collection Corp. To seize the head office and premises of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan in Tokyo over a loan repayment case.

"Not only has Japan makes a noise about imposing sanctions against our republic, but Japan is oppressing the organization of our compatriots and their children," Kim Kyong Hui, 22, a university student, said Monday, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Considering Japan's handling of issues on pro-Pyongyang schools over the national tuition waiver program, Japan has been maneuvering openly and secretly to erase the organization of our compatriots," said Kim Il Jin, 22, a university student who was preparing for graduation exams with Kim Kyong Hui at the Grand People''s Study House in Pyongyang.

Kim Un Suk, 30, a librarian at the study house, said Japan "is about to seize our compatriots'' property even through our country has never launched a missile or shot a single bullet against Japan."

The official Korean Central News Agency said the Japanese government's "mean behavior is stirring up the atmosphere of discriminating against and rejecting Koreans in the Japanese society."

"The Japanese reactionaries should stop at once the discrimination against the Korean schools in Japan, a part of their moves against the DPRK and the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan," KCNA said Monday.

PTI (Kyodo)