Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee, said they would direct this year's activities to upgrading the organization.

They would make a breakthrough in national education this year, 65th anniversary of the general secondary education and the 55th anniversary of Joson University, he said. They would also make the work with Korean youngsters and traders top priority to rally broad compatriots through mass movement, he added.

Chongryon would launch vigorous external activities this year to develop friendship and bond with Japanese and make a tangible contribution to building a socialist economic power, he said.

The meeting adopted a letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il.

Ri Jong Man, managing director of the Standing Council of the Korean Federation of Workers in Commerce in Japan, issued a statement on Jan. 9 in support of the editorial and a joint statement of government, political parties and organizations of the DPRK.