North Korea has released a letter from Kim Jong Un addressed to Korean residents in Japan, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon). Although Kim declared the existence of “two hostile states” between North and South Korea at the end of 2023 and has since distanced himself from the notion of a unified Korean nation, in this letter, he emphasized the importance of fostering future generations grounded in the national spirit.
Rodong Sinmun, the Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, published the letter on its front and second pages on May 25 under the headline “Let Us Write a Great New History of the Chongryon Movement by Inheriting the Patriotic Spirit of the Founding Generation.”
In the message, Kim praised the founding generation of Chongryon for establishing a model legacy in national education, describing it as one of their most significant achievements. He urged the organization to devise measures to reduce the financial burden on parents and improve educational and living conditions at Korea University to support the next generation better.
On page six, Rodong Sinmun reiterated that Chongryon continues to uphold the traditions established by earlier patriotic generations, spotlighting various recent events and initiatives undertaken by the group.
Page three reported the recent destroyer launch accident at Chongjin Shipyard on May 21. Based on the findings of an investigation team, North Korean judicial authorities detained Kang Jong Chol, the chief engineer of the Chongjin Shipyard; Han Kyong Hak, the head of the hull construction workshop; and Kim Yong Hak, deputy manager for administrative affairs, holding them responsible for the incident.
The same page carried a statement from the Ministry of National Defense’s policy office, arguing that “the only reliable way to ensure the safety of the U.S. mainland is not through reckless military expansion, but through a complete renunciation of military threats and aggressive ambitions toward other nations.”
Page four covered the regime’s “Local Development 20X10” initiative, declaring that an “era of regional revitalization and rural advancement” is underway. It called on citizens to achieve strong results during the May rice planting season to repay the Party’s benevolence.
On page five, the paper celebrated the recent designation of the Mount Paektu region as a UNESCO Global Geopark, calling it “a source of national pride and a global treasure.” The article emphasized Mount Paektu’s growing geological and tourism significance and announced plans to publish a series of reports covering over 30 geological sites within the geopark.