[News Terms] Koreans in Japan: 'Chongryon' and 'Mindan'

'Chongryon' is the abbreviation for the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, a pro-North Korean Korean organization in Japan. Chongryon traces its roots to the 'Zainichi Korean Federation (Choryon),' a left-right coalition organization of Koreans in Japan established immediately after liberation in 1945. Choryon gradually became left-leaning with the participation of members from the Japanese Communist Party, demanding the overthrow of the emperor system, and was disbanded in September 1949 after being designated as a violent organization by the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers (GHQ) stationed in Japan.

Subsequently, the Zainichi Korean Democratic Front (Minjeon), formed by former members of Choryon-affiliated organizations such as the Zainichi Korean Liberation Rescue Association, and the Homeland Defense Committee (Jobangwi), the successor to the Choryon action organization Zainichi Korean Democratic Youth League, were established and active. In May 1955, Minjeon and Jobangwi were disbanded, and Chongryon was founded, marking its 68th anniversary this year, with its central headquarters located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang attended the memorial event for Korean victims of the Great Kanto Earthquake's 100th anniversary held at Yokoamicho Park in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, Japan, on the 1st, waiting to lay flowers at the memorial monument.
[Photo by Yoon Mi-hyang Facebook capture/Yonhap News]

Since 1958, Chongryon has provided financial support to North Korea, promoted the repatriation of Zainichi Koreans to North Korea, and established over 150 Korean schools throughout Japan. In the early 1970s, it recruited nearly half of the Zainichi Korean population. However, in the mid-1970s, as the visits of Zainichi Korean ancestral grave-tending groups to South Korea began, the number of those switching to the 'Zainichi Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan)' increased, weakening Chongryon's influence.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Justice, as of December 2018, 29,559 people, or 3.6% of the 824,977 Zainichi Koreans, were reported to be affiliated with Chongryon. It is known to have maintained its presence through aid such as scholarships and other support provided since North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's administration.

'Mindan' is the abbreviation for the Zainichi Korean Residents Union in Japan. It is a Korean organization in Japan officially recognized by the South Korean government, established to counter Chongryon and advocate for the rights of Koreans in Japan. During the Cold War, Mindan was larger than Chongryon and engaged in extreme confrontations, but now that both groups have weakened, there is little friction, and exchanges are gradually increasing. Currently, Mindan is involved in activities such as eliminating discrimination by Japanese people, granting local suffrage in Japan, and promoting Korea-Japan exchanges. Its headquarters is located in a building in Minato-ku, Tokyo, where the Consular Section of the Korean Embassy in Japan is situated.

After Choryon, established in 1945, supported the North Korean People's Committee, right-wing Zainichi Korean youth organized the 'Korean National Foundation Youth League (Geoncheong)' and the 'New Korea Construction League (Geondong),' which merged in October 1946 to form the 'Zainichi Korean Residents Union.' Following the establishment of the South Korean government on August 15, 1948, it was recognized as an official organization and renamed the 'Zainichi Korean Residents Union in Japan.' In 1994, the term 'Residents' was dropped, and it became the 'Zainichi Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan).' The membership is known to be about 500,000.

While Chongryon supported North Korea, Mindan has supported South Korea's economic development. In 1982, Mindan invested in establishing Shinhan Bank and operates numerous educational institutions, including Baekdu Academy (Geon-guk School), Geumgang Academy, and Tokyo Korean School.