Pyongyang, March 5 (KCNA) -- The Nepal-Korea Friendship Association, the Institute for the Juche Studies, the Association for Supporting the Songun Politics, the Journalist Association, the Peace Action Committee, the National Press Club, the Study Forum for Self-Reliance, the Baktapur Society for Korea Study and the Committee for Supporting the Reunification of Korea of Nepal made public a joint statement on Feb. 26, denouncing the Japanese reactionaries" suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) and Koreans in Japan.

The statement accused the Japanese authorities of arresting Koreans in Japan without any ground while searching organizations under Chongryon, schools and dwelling houses of Koreans and floating distorted reports to impair the image of Chongryon.

We regard such brutal suppression as an intolerable infringement upon the sovereignty of the DPRK, a dignified socialist country, and an unprecedented crime, it said.

It strongly demanded the Japanese authorities immediately stop the frantic anti-Chongryon campaign and suppression of Koreans in Japan and truly respect and protect the Koreans in Japan with historical and moral sense of obligation.