Pyongyang, December 17 (KCNA) -- The Japanese authorities should immediately stop the suppression of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), a dignified overseas citizens organization of the DPRK, and Koreans in Japan, Minju Joson Saturday urges in a bylined commentary.

It goes on:

Recently the Japanese custom authorities searched luggage of Chongryon officials and other compatriots and students upon their return to Japan after their visit to the homeland and confiscated their personal belongings, claiming this action was taken at the instruction of the Ministry of Economy and Industry.

The confiscated things are cosmetics, art pieces, DVDs containing feature films the visitors got as souvenirs. They are, therefore, nothing problematic.

Lurking behind this action is a political aim which should never be overlooked.

The Japanese reactionaries have pursued a discriminating policy and hostile policy towards Chongryon and Koreans in Japan for the mere reason that Chongryon is an overseas citizens organization of the DPRK.

This despicable behavior of the Japanese authorities is a product of hostility towards the DPRK and extreme national chauvinism and a wanton violation of international law and human rights.

The Japanese reactionaries have followed such policy of national discrimination under the pretext that Chongryon is an organization of a country which they have no diplomatic ties and Koreans in Japan are citizens of that country. Not content with this, they are suppressing them. With nothing can they justify this attitude as it is a reckless behavior of those ignorant of elementary norms of international relations and conception of human rights.

This mean behavior only betrays their despicable nature and moral vulgarity in the international arena.