The ill-advised independent sanctions slapped by the Japanese government against the DPRK over its self-defensive H-bomb test and satellite launch for peaceful purposes are an act of extremely escalating confrontation between the two countries, the statement said, and went on:

It is a clear manifestation of politically-motivated suppression of Chongryon and abuses of the human rights of the Koreans in Japan that the Japanese regime tightened its embargo on reentry of all Chongryon officials and Koreans in Japan without limitation.

Sanctions can never help improve the Japan-DPRK relations and achieve peace on the Korean peninsula. Now is just the time for the Japanese regime to have a dialogue with the DPRK.