enemy within

The latest criminal case involving the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) can be described as having been committed by the North Korean government. On Monday, the Metropolitan Police Department searched the pro-Pyongyang association's Tokyo head office and other locations on suspicion of violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.

KAST, an organization comprising North Korean scientists and engineers in this country, is controlled by the Workers' Party of Korea. It is necessary to uncover the truth behind KAST's activities.

Even prior to the latest case, the police authorities suspected KAST had played a role in the unauthorized transfer of advanced technology from Japan to North Korea. Appearing before the U.S. Congress, a former North Korean engineer has testified that 90 percent of parts used to build North Korean missiles were acquired from Japan.

Various products and technology have been sent to North Korea from Japan over the years. All this has supported--directly or indirectly--an attempt by North Korea, a military state under the iron fist of Kim Jong Il, to build missiles and promote its nuclear weapons program. The latest case must be examined to determine whether North Korea used IV bags for a purpose unrelated to their intended use.

The Japanese government should have taken measures even earlier to foil illegal activities by Chongryon and KAST. However, the government has failed to squarely confront the realities of North Korea's wrongdoing.The Yomiuri Shimbun/(Nov. 29, 2006)

Japanese version