Tokyo: A pro-North Korea group in Japan has called for all-out cheering for the North Korean delegation at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, describing the effort as part of a "patriotic" mission. North Korea will send around 100 athletes to compete in 14 sports, including football, weightlifting, table tennis, and wrestling, at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
According to Yonhap News Agency, an article published by the Choson Sinbo, a Japan-based pro-North Korean newspaper, emphasized that cheering for North Korean athletes is not merely an act of support but a "popular patriotic business" that publicly showcases Chongryon and North Korean residents in Japan. Chongryon refers to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.
The newspaper highlighted that the Asian Games provide an opportunity to foster patriotism amidst what it described as a hostile environment for Chongryon and North Koreans living in Japan. It encouraged Chongryon members to actively engage in grassroots efforts to support the athletes, portraying the campaign as a demonstration of the group's unity and strength in Japan.
Preparations are reportedly underway among Chongryon members across Japan, including making cheering towels and planning visits to support the athletes in person. This is seen as part of the broader effort to rally support for North Korea's athletes during the games.
Ko Chol-ho, the secretary general of North Korea's National Olympic Committee, expressed hope in an interview with the paper last month that the country would achieve more medals at the upcoming event than it did at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
North Korea's lineup for the 2026 Asian Games features two athletes from Japan: footballer Ri Song-a and karate practitioner Jong Se-ri. Chongryon, founded in 1955 with an initial membership of approximately 500,000, is believed to have seen a significant reduction in its numbers over the years, although current membership figures are not disclosed.