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May 25 1955 is the day when the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) was formed.

Overseas compatriots have been likened to a drop of water from the large river called a nation from olden times. During the Japanese imperialists' military occupation of Korea, lots of Koreans emigrated abroad in search of a way to make a living. Those who were in the worst plight among them were none other than the Koreans in Japan.

Though they lived in the alien land, they united with one mind and will in the struggle to defend their homeland and carry out the Korean revolution.

For the past 70 years Chongryon, which has performed its mission and role as a faithful mouthpiece and staunch defender of the rights and interests of the Koreans in Japan and as their kind servant, has developed into an organization of overseas citizens of the DPRK, which is faithful to the leader's ideas, line and leadership and which shares the destiny with the socialist homeland.

With organizations at all levels from the central down to the lowest echelons in place, it has efficient educational, economic, cultural and media organs and wages a vigorous patriotic movement by rallying broad masses of compatriots. It also ensures that the children of Koreans carry on the genuine patriotic cause through the well-regulated educational system ranging from primary school to university.

It firmly defends and strengthens its organizations in the face of the Japanese authorities’ vicious and persistent anti-Chongryon moves and keeps alive the culture and traditions peculiar to the Korean nation through the community of compatriots.

While subordinating all its activities to the compatriot-first principle, Chongryon focuses on the struggle for protecting and extending the democratic national rights and interests of the compatriots.

The movement of Koreans in Japan has been able to develop and dynamically advance as a national patriotic movement genuinely serving their country and nation, thanks to the guidance of President Kim Il Sung, Chairman Kim Jong Il and the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un.

The President put forward the original idea and theory on the overseas compatriots' movement and successfully applied them, thus bringing about a radical turn in the destiny of Koreans in Japan.

He set forth the Juche-oriented policy of turnabout in line that the Koreans, though living in Japan, should defend their country and fight for the Korean revolution and the movement of Koreans in Japan should be a national patriotic movement to defend the democratic national rights by relying on their own forces under the leadership of the government of the Republic. The brilliant fruition of this policy was the establishment of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.

In the difficult postwar period, the President sent educational aid fund and stipends for the children of Koreans in Japan and ensured that the sea route for the repatriation of the Koreans was opened.

Chairman Kim Jong Il indicated the ways for Chongryon to advance in each period and stage of the developing revolution and changing situation. The love and trust he showed and placed for Chongryon officials and other Koreans in Japan, saying that his mind was always there with them, served as the source of their growing confidence in sure victory.

The respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un gives inexhaustible strength and courage to Japan-based Koreans fighting in defence of their national rights and interests as he takes measures in succession to firmly safeguard the legitimate position of Chongryon. The patriotic enthusiasm of Chongryon is growing stronger, thanks to the loving care and high trust he repeatedly shows and places on them, calling them our great people living in an alien land.

Over the past 70 years, a large number of Chongryon officials and other Koreans in Japan have been awarded the top orders and honour prizes of the DPRK and grown to be holders of honorary titles.

The proud 70-year history of Chongryon will shine long along with the history of the DPRK replete with victories and glory.

We extend heartfelt congratulations to Chongryon on its 70th founding anniversary.