North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has donated 287.02 million yen (approximately $2 million) to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) to mark the 113th anniversary of former president Kim Il Sung’s birth on April 15.
The Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Monday that Kim provided educational support funds and scholarships for the democratic national education of Korean children residing in Japan.
The newspaper stated that the total amount of educational support funds and scholarships sent to the children of Korean residents in Japan by former president Kim, former supreme leader Kim Jong Il, and Kim has reached 499.88593 billion yen (approximately $3.5 billion) over 171 instances.
Kim’s special provision of funds appears to be aimed at securing the loyalty of Chongryon’s younger generation and encouraging support from the Korean community in Japan.
While North Korea had suspended physical exchanges with the Korean community in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been maintaining relations since last year by inviting students from Korea University in Japan, Korean Students’ Art Troupe in Japan, and Chongryon officials to various commemorative events.