Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Japanese Authorities Accused of Disallowing DPRK Delegation's Entry

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK via Korea News Service (KNS)

    Pyongyang, August 26 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Korean Council of Religionists issued a statement on August 26 to accuse the Japanese authorities of disallowing the entry of a delegation of the council to participate in the 8th regular meeting of the World Conference of Religions for Peace now under way in Kyoto. The statement said:
    The Japanese judicial authorities dragged on the clearance of the application for the delegation's entry, pretending to allow it at first. They, however, refused to issue a visa for the head of the delegation on charge of being "the primary target of sanctions" just before the opening of the conference. Then they perpetrated such a shameless and clumsy act as totally blocking the delegation's entry under such absurd pretexts as an issue concerning the names of members of the delegation and the failure of a DPRK delegation to participate in the last regular meeting. By barring the DPRK from participating in the international meeting of religionists to discuss issues of world peace and security through their unjust action the Japanese authorities downplayed the significance of the current meeting for peace and seriously tarnished the image of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, a dignified organization of the international religious community.
    The illegal and reckless action taken by them to bar the delegation's entry and participation in the meeting is nothing but suppression of religion unprecedented in the history of international relations.
    The Korean Council of Religionists serves a warning to the Japanese authorities over the case.
    They should bear in mind that they will meet only death and ruin, should they persistently toe the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK, seized by an unrealizable day dream.
    The Korean people will never forget the monstrous crimes the Japanese imperialists committed by forcing Koreans into colonial slavery in the past and blocking the uniform development of the Korean nation, pursuant to the harsh hostile policy towards the DPRK but certainly force Japan to pay for them.
    The council avails itself of this opportunity to express the hope that all the religionists and religious organizations standing for love, justice and peace will see through the true colors of Japan and extend positive support to the Korean people in their struggle to defend peace on the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Northeast Asia and the world.