Is North Korea’s atomic training college in Tokyo? Activist says ‘nuclear spies’ are on the loose in Japan
Rights campaigner says scientists for Pyongyang’s atomic weapon programme are openly being trained at a university in Japan
A Japanese human rights activist has launched a campaign to stop classes on nuclear physics, advanced chemistry, robotics and electronics being taught at a North Korean-sponsored university in Tokyo, claiming the institution violates UN sanctions and benefits Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Ken Kato, director of a group called Human Rights in Asia and a member of the International Coalition to Stop Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea, has submitted a petition to the UN panel that monitors sanctions imposed on North Korea in the aftermath of its nuclear tests and missile launches.
In his petition, Kato called on the panel to “conduct a thorough investigation into violations of United Nations sanctions by the Korea University”. He said the college in Kodaira, western Tokyo, requires students to be members of the Korean Youth League in Japan, which promises to “raise youths to become true Kim Il-sung-Kim Jong-il followers”.
The university, along with some kindergartens, junior and senior high schools, are operated by Chongryun, an organisation that represents Korean residents of Japan who still swear allegiance to North Korea and who are said to number tens of thousands.
The president of the university is a member of the North Korean Supreme People’s Embassy who is subject to a travel ban imposed by the Japanese government, meaning he cannot re-enter Japan if he visits North Korea.
