Pyongyang, November 1 (KCNA) -- A meeting took place at the Korean Hall of Culture in Tokyo on October 29 to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of secondary educational system for the Korean residents in Japan.

Introduced at the meeting was a message of greeting sent by the Education Commission of the DPRK.

A speech was made by Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).

Honorary titles were awarded to officials and teachers who contributed to developing the national education of Chongryon.

A letter to General Secretary Kim Jong Il was adopted there. The letter said:

The Korean residents in Japan could start the national education at a "mother tongue training center" with their will to imbue the future generations with the Korean nation's soul and dignity even in an alien land. It was thanks to President Kim Il Sung who defeated the Japanese imperialists and liberated Korea.

The foundation of Tokyo Korean Secondary School on Oct. 5, Juche 35 (1946) signified the proclamation of the introduction of the secondary education for Koreans in Japan.

The President's historic letter "To One Million Korean Compatriots in Japan" was guidelines of struggle and a treasured sword of victory which helped Korean compatriots devotedly protect their national education, not yielding to the frantic suppression by the reactionaries of the U.S. and Japan who worked hard to obliterate the education of Koreans in Japan, the letter recalled, and went on:

The educational aid fund and stipends sent by the President to Chongryon in 1957 were life-giving water which opened the heyday for Chongryon's national education. It enabled the organization to be equipped with the regular educational system and demonstrate its honor as a worldwide model of education of overseas compatriots.

The Korean students of the third, fourth and fifth generations studying at schools at all levels are growing up to be pillars of Chongryon and the Korean community under the loving care of Kim Jong Il and benevolence of the homeland, the letter stressed.

At the end of the meeting an art performance was given to congratulate the anniversary.

That day a photo exhibition was held on the same occasion.