The Korean community in Japan is bubbling over with excitement on receiving the news about the adoption of the DPRK law on the protection of the overseas compatriots’ rights and interests at the Sixth Session of the 14th Supreme People’s Assembly last February.

Some officials of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) made big bows towards the sky of the motherland saying the law is another privilege and the greatest honour given to the overseas compatriots by the respected Marshal Kim Jong Un, and many Koreans are visiting Chongryon branches continuously to share the excitement saying they can envision the future when the policies desired and welcomed by the compatriots are carried out in succession.

As I read the law which stipulates that the state shall give precedence to protecting and promoting the rights and interests of overseas compatriots and broadly provide them with encouraging and preferential treatment in various domains including politics, the economy and social culture, some unforgettable memories flooded my mind.

A legendary story is still told among us about the benevolent care of the great President Kim Il Sung who sent the draft constitution of the republic to be founded in the beginning of the building of a new country, to the Korean compatriots in Japan who were suffering from maltreatment and absence of rights so that they could reflect their opinions on the state affairs.

He set forward the historic policy on the change of line during the Fatherland Liberation War (1950-1953) and, after Chongryon was formed, adopted the nationality law of the DPRK, thus turning the Korean compatriots in Japan into legitimate overseas citizens of the country.

With the adoption of the nationality law stipulating the problem of overseas compatriots’ acquisition of citizenship and nationality and the rights of overseas citizens of the DPRK on October 9 1963, the Korean compatriots in Japan came under the political and legal protection of their homeland.

Chairman Kim Jong Il firmly defended the destiny of our homeland and Chongryon by dint of Songun and, whenever the Japanese authorities oppressed and persecuted the Korean compatriots by means of a variety of draconian laws, he saw to it that the DPRK government issued statements and raised strong international criticism against Japan.

The respected Marshal Kim Jong Un has sent us congratulatory messages every year and clarified the path to be followed by Chongryon by publishing immortal works, while bestowing great love and trust on Chongryon officials and other Korean compatriots.

The preface of the rules of the Workers’ Party of Korea amended at the Eighth Congress of the WPK newly specifies contents on safeguarding and ensuring the democratic national rights and interests of overseas Koreans.

In his congratulatory message sent to the chairman of the Central Standing Committee of Chongryon on the first morning of this year, the respected General Secretary said that our Party and the DPRK government will devotedly implement the policies awaited and welcomed by all the compatriots, including the provision of a stronger legal guarantee for defending and ensuring the rights and interests of the overseas compatriots in this auspicious year, true to the behests of the President and the Chairman.

We will wage a dynamic struggle for defending the democratic national rights of Koreans in Japan and carry on the proud tradition of national education, true to the intention of the respected General Secretary.

Kang Hye Jin, advisor to the Human Rights Association of Koreans in Japan