Shortly ago, the customs authorities perpetrated such tyrannical actions as rummaging the luggage of the members of the delegation upon their return to Japan after visiting the DPRK and confiscating books and multimedia they brought with them at Kansai airport and Haneda airport.

Those confiscated things were books, multimedia and souvenirs they legally purchased while staying in the DPRK and, therefore, they can never be subject to suppression, the statement noted, adding:

The above-said actions are an open crackdown upon the progressive personages who wish to study and disseminate progressive ideas. Lurking behind this is a sinister intention of Japan to persistently pursue its hostile policy toward the DPRK.

We can hardly repress the towering national resentment against the unpardonable criminal acts committed by the Japanese customs authorities, the statement noted, urging them to return those confiscated things to their owners without delay and make an immediate apology for those acts.