A North Korea-affiliated group here Thursday asked the government to let its No. 2 official re-enter Japan after he attends the funeral in Pyongyang of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il but was refused because key members of the group are being banned, government sources said.
Japan has banned the re-entry of six senior officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, known as Chongryon, who also are members of the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korea's Parliament. Japan also has sanctions in place for the reclusive country's past abductions of Japanese citizens.
A source close to the matter said Chongryon asked immigration authorities Thursday to grant Ho Jong Man, its chief vice chairman, a special exemption on humanitarian grounds so he can attend Kim's funeral Wednesday. Kim's death by heart attack was announced Monday.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura subsequently consulted with others and reached a "political decision" to reject the request, a government source said.
"There is no special reason that requires us to change how we handle the matter" because of Kim's death, Fujimura said Thursday afternoon.
The ban went into effect in October 2006 after missile launches by North Korea in July and a nuclear test in October that year.
The denial of the exemption reflects respect for the abductees and their family members, and a willingness to take a tough stand on abduction and nuclear issues.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the headquarters of Chongryon in Tokyo on Thursday to mourn Kim's death, and placed a bouquet of red carnations in front of Kim's portrait.
As prime minister, Koizumi spoke with Kim twice in Pyongyang in the early 2000s, resulting in the return of five abductees and their family members to Japan.