Kim Jong-un, North Korea's State Affairs Commission chairperson, sent about 2.934 billion won in education aid and scholarships to the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon).
Korean Central News Agency said on the 14th that "the chairperson sent scholarships for the democratic national education of children of ethnic Koreans in Japan."
The scholarships were entrusted to mark the 114th anniversary of Kim Il Sung's birth on the 15th of this month. Since taking power, the chairperson has sent scholarships to ethnic Koreans in Japan every year on Kim Il Sung's birthday.
According to Korean Central News Agency, the education aid and scholarships sent to ethnic Koreans in Japan over three generations, from Kim Il Sung to the chairperson, total 466.6 billion won.
Some observers also say that the background to the chairperson's support of scholarships for ethnic Koreans in Japan lies with his biological mother, Ko Yong Hui. Ko, who was a repatriated ethnic Korean from Japan, is said to be the reason the chairperson is showing interest in Chongryon activities. There is also a view that it is intended to induce loyalty from Chongryon's next generation.