“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” (George Orwell)
 
[Chongryon, a pro-North Korean organization based in Japan]

The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, abbreviated to Chongryon, is one of two main organizations for Zainichi(or Jaeil) Koreans(long-term Korean residents in Japan) and has close ties to North Korea(DPRK). As there are no diplomatic relations between the two states, it has functioned as North Korea's de facto embassy in Japan. Chongryon's headquarters are in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and there are prefectural and regional head offices and branches throughout Japan. However, the organization has run into severe financial trouble, with debts of over US$750 million, and has been ordered by court in 2012 to dispose of most of its assets, including its Tokyo headquarters. There are numerous organizations affiliated with Chongryon, including eighteen mass propaganda bodies and twenty-three business enterprises. One of the most important business sectors is pachinko. It also operates about 60 Korean schools and a Korean university, as well as banks and other facilities in Japan. Five other senior Chongryon officials are also members of the Supreme People's Assembly(North Korea's parliament).

해외 친북단체 중 규모가 가장 큰 단체는 1970년 反국가단체로 규정된 재일본조선인총연합회(조총련)이다. 1955년 결성된 조총련은 북한의 ‘재일본공민단체’라고 자칭하는 일본 내 對南공작 거점이다. 조총련은 발족 당시부터 북한식 사회주의를 지향해왔다. 조총련은 크게 두 개의 목적을 설정하고 출발했다. 첫째는 재일조선인의 생활옹호(표면상 이유)이며, 둘째는 북한의 목적에 부합한 행동을 취하는 것이다. 이중에서도 가장 중요한 임무는 ‘북한의 목적에 부응해서 행동하는 것’이다. 위해 조총련의 조직은 모든 좌익세력이 그렇듯이 강력한 중앙집권체제로 움직여왔다./김필재

-유튜브: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCha7BwcF4itfzFr9DAUqdNw