General Association of Koreans in Japan requests Japanese media to use North Korea's official name

Press conference held with Japanese media to request ‘Democratic People’s Republic of Korea/DPRK’

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kwon Soo-hyun = The General Association of Koreans in Japan (Chosun Chongryon), which was supporting the North Korean athletes participating in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, requested the Japanese media to use North Korea's official country name.

On the 13th, Chosun Shinbo, an organ of Chongryon, reported that the Sports Association of Koreans in Japan (Korean Athletics Federation in Japan), a sports organization under Chongryon, and the Aichi Compatriot Welcoming Committee of the Korean Athletes held a press conference the day before at the Chongryon Meiko Branch Hall in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, with about 30 officials from Japanese media outlets, including Kyodo News, NHK, Chunichi Shimbun, and Chukyo TV, attending.

These groups requested that when referring to North Korea at the Asian Games, the official name 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea' or the official English name 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea' and its abbreviated form 'DPRK' be used instead of 'North Korea'.

Song Soo-il, secretary general of the North Korean Olympic Committee and the liaison officer for the North Korean Olympic Committee, explained in a press conference that North Korean representatives in international sports competitions such as karate are referred to as members of 'DPRK' or 'DPR Korea', and that the organizing committee is using the name 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea' or 'DPRK' during the preparation process for this event, and that the Japanese media should also follow this practice.

These organizations also requested to refrain from reporting with titles that incite emotional confrontation or that promote stereotypes, saying that reporting on game wins and losses that are excessively linked to political backgrounds may cause slander or defamation of individual players or words and actions that incite ethnic discrimination or hatred.

In addition, he added, “We ask for consideration so that human rights are not violated by targeting Koreans living in Japan, including the Chongryon organization that supports North Korean athletes, as targets of criticism and attacks.”

Secretary-General Song said, “Using the national name correctly will be an important first step in protecting the dignity of athletes and protecting them from excessive political prejudice,” and added, “I hope that each athlete, as an athlete, can compete on fair conditions with athletes from other countries.”

North Korea sent 107 athletes to the Asian Games in 14 sports, including soccer, weightlifting, and wrestling. The size of the team, including support staff, amounts to about 180.

The North Korean team entered Japan on the 11th and will begin the full-scale competition schedule starting with the first match of the women's soccer group stage match against Bangladesh in Osaka on the 14th.