In a mysterious twist, the North Korea-affiliated group Chongryon is unlikely to be forced out of its Tokyo headquarters despite losing ownership of the building because it is expected to be given the option of leasing it, sources said.
The sources said real estate company Marunaka Holdings Co., which successfully bid ¥2.21 billion last March to acquire the building and its prime land in Chiyoda Ward, is arranging to resell it to a different real estate firm based in Yamagata Prefecture for around ¥4 billion.
"There has been no change in our stance that we will not lease or sell the property to Chongryon. I cannot say anything more," a Marunaka official said.