Hantongryeon Members Arrive Amid Protests

A total of 144 members of Hantongryeon (Korean Residents Association in Japan for United Korea) are showing their excitement by waving their hands as they arrive at Incheon International Airport yesterday (left). The organization has been defined as an anti-national organization, and as a result, its members have not been permitted to enter South Korea. In the photo on the right, members of a conservative group are demonstrating, holding a picket sign saying, “Pro North Korean organization, Hantongryeon, don’t step on the Republic of Korea’s land.”

Dong-Joo KIM zoo@donga.com