The Association of Koreans in the U.S. in a statement on March 28 said the Japanese government searched the houses of the chairman and a vice-chairman of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee.

The Japanese government conducted search operations against the houses of senior officials of Chongryon without any material evidence by linking them with the import of songi mushroom by a company that has nothing to do with Chongryon.

The recent search is an act of discriminating against Koreans in Japan and an action hostile to the DPRK as it was illegal and fascist action that defied the normal investigation process.

The General Association of Koreans in China and the Chinese Regional Committee of the Overseas Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration in a joint statement on April 2 censured with towering national indignation the fascist action of searching the houses of senior officials of Chongryon, legitimate overseas Koreans' organization, by mobilizing the Japanese police and lethal equipment, though they are deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK.

The arrogant and despicable action against Chongryon is a politically-motivated crackdown on Chongryon officials, abuse of rights of Koreans in Japan and discrimination against them and an unpardonable infringement on the sovereignty of the DPRK.

The Federation of Koreans in Canada in a statement said the fascist action taken by the Japanese police without any convincing evidence was prompted by a political purpose.

The statement urged Japan to apologize to the Koreans for their wrongdoings.

The permanent representative of the European Regional Committee of the Overseas Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration on April 3 said he could hardly repress national indignation at the unprecedented atrocity committed by the Japanese government.

If the ultra-right conservative forces of Japan continue to crack down on the Koreans in Japan, they will be sternly punished by the Koreans.