Three Osaka-based nongovernmental groups of ethnic Koreans united Saturday to meet the demands of a larger community, including South Korea-born newcomers and members getting Japanese nationality.
The merged entity, called the Korea NGO Center, was set up with such well-known figures as University of Tokyo professor Kang Sang Jung and writer Yong Sok Il as part of a roughly 80-member expert committee.
The group plans to apply to the Japanese government for status as an authorized nonprofit organization and build a network with other Korean communities overseas, members said.