The authorities made an illegal decision of allowing the sale of the land and building of the Korean Hall of Chongryon, the statement said, and went on:

We strongly denounce the Japanese authorities for their moves to seize the Korean Hall.

Japan has historically made political suppression and persecution of Chongryon and Koreans in Japan, pursuant to the state policy of antagonizing Koreans.

It is Japan's obligation and unavoidable legal and moral responsibilities to protect the rights and properties of Koreans in Japan.

Chongryon is an overseas Koreans' organization of the DPRK for defending the legitimate rights of Koreans in Japan.

It plays a role of a diplomatic mission of the DPRK in Japan, in fact. Therefore, the issue of putting the Korean Hall on sale can develop into an issue between countries.

Japan should think twice over this issue, the statement warned.