They handed to it a written request addressed to the prime minister of Japan on behalf of the Korean Federation of Korean Workers in Commerce in Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Association of Korean Workers in Commerce in Japan and the Tokyo Metropolitan Shinjuku Association of Korean Workers in Commerce in Japan.

The wholesale search operation the police authorities conducted on the groundless charge of "violation of the law on taxation" on October 29 and November 27 did harm to the dignity of the federation, threatened the rights of Koreans to do business and exist and created unrest in the Japanese society, too, noted the written request.

It urged the Japanese authorities to stop the unreasonable suppression of Chongryon and the federation and provide the living conditions of the Koreans in Japan and guarantee their rights.

It also urged the Japanese authorities to implement the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration at an early date and lift the sanctions against the DPRK.

Then, O Jae Se held a press conference at which he referred to the sufferings the members of associations in different parts of Japan are undergoing owing to the politically motivated suppression by the Japanese authorities.

He demanded the Japanese authorities stop at once the brutal suppression of organizations of Chongryon and immediately release the arrested compatriots.