BFF-36 Japan police mount raids over ‘illegal food exports’ to N. Korea

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Japan police mount raids over ‘illegal food exports’ to N. Korea

TOKYO, Dec 14, 2017 (BSS/AFP) – Japanese police said Thursday they had
carried out several raids, reportedly in connection to alleged shipments of
food to North Korea that would contravene sanctions.

Japan has banned trade with North Korea as part of sanctions imposed on
the country over its missile and nuclear programmes as well as the abduction
of Japanese nationals.

Investigators raided several places on suspicion of violating foreign
exchange regulations, an official from the Kyoto Police Department told AFP,
declining to comment further.

According to local media, police raided a Tokyo-based commercial
association affiliated with the General Association of Korean Residents in
Japan, known as Chongryon, the de-facto North Korean embassy in Japan.

Police also raided a firm in Tokyo, the Asahi Shimbun said, adding that
they are expected to soon arrest several people on suspicion of illegally
exporting foods to the reclusive state via Singapore.

During last month’s visit by US President Donald Trump in Tokyo, Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to freeze the assets of North Korean groups and
individuals.

The issue of abductions to North Korea is a highly-charged one in Japan,
which suspects dozens of people were kidnapped by agents from the isolated
country.

BSS/AFP/FI/ 14.00 hrs