Message from the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Republic of Korea is monitoring the recent protests against ethnic Korean Chongryon schools within Japan. We commend Japan's general policy of respect and tolerance towards ethnic minorities, especially those with a long history in the country. The ethnic Korean community in Japan is largely divided into two political camps, Mindan and Chongryon. The latter has a questionable history of communications with the DPRK during times of heightened political tensions. Given this fact, we trust that Japan is more than capable of balancing its policy of ethnic tolerance, with its understandable need to protect its internal security. We merely wish to remind our allies that as one of two Korean states, we are concerned that the effects of these recent developments may spill over into broader anti-Korean movements, and ask that Japan look after the ethnic Koreans in Japan who are living ordinary lives in the country.