The 3rd General Meeting held in Osaka, commemorating the first
anniversary of the establishment of Mindan. (Oct. 3rd 1947)
With the liberation of motherland on Aug 15th 1945, 2 million
Koreans left in various parts of Japan composed self-governing
organizations. In Oct. 1945, General Association of Koreans
Residents in Japan('Souren') was formed, rallying these organizations.
However, lead by the leftists, Souren had proceeded to a direction
different from one of a public organization.
On Nov. 16th 1945, 3,000 youths gathered in Tokyo and formed
Kensei (Youth Alliance promoting Foundation of Chosun), seeking
for 'a public organization not biased by ideology'. On Jan.
20th 1946, Kendou (Alliance of New Chosun Construction) was
formed. Along with these two organizations, 20 some democratic
powers were combined to establish Mindan on Oct 3rd 1946,,
at Hibiya open-air concert hall. The Korean government was
established on Aug. 15th 1948. And soon after, in Oct. 1948,
Mindan was admitted as the official organization from the
Korean government.
To save their motherland at the risk of their own lives, 641
zainichi volunteered to participate in Korean War, forming
Zainichi Student Militia.
On Jun 25th 1950, when Korean War broke out by the invasion
from the North, 641 students stood up and volunteered to defense
their motherland, and Zainichi Student Militia was formed.
Their spirit of life-sacrificing patriotism, will be highly
respected by their posterity.
Struggling against the 'Repatriation to the North', members
of Mindan gathered in Nigata, sat over the railway stopping
the transport train.
In Aug. 1959, Mindan devoted its organizational effort to
struggle against the 'Repatriation to the North', enforced
following the 'Agreement on Repatriation of Korean Residents
in Japan' signed between the Japanese and North Korean Red
Cross. Mindan drove bold movements to obstruct the transport
train by force. If the death-defying struggle of Mindan has
not taken place, the number of compatriots forced to live
in North Korean 'living hell' will have further increased.
In Tokyo Olympic Games, Mindan composed Zainichi Sponsor to
support the Korean team.
In 1964, at Tokyo Olympic Games, the first Olympics to be
held in Asia, Mindan composed Zainichi Sponsor, and supported
the Korean team both physically and spiritually.
From 1966 to 1971, following the 'Agreement between Korea
and Japan', Mindan devoted its organizational effort to drive
'movement to promote application for the right of permanent
residence'. The number of applicants reached 365,000 out of
560,000 qualifiers.
15,000 zainichi rouse to action, demanding for the legal rights
and treatment. (Jun. 17th 1965, Hibiya open-air concert hall)
To solve the problem of the rights and interests of the zainichi,
which had been omitted from the 'Agreement between Korea and
Japan', Mindan drove nationwide movement to protect the rights
and interests of the zainichi. The acquisition of the rights
to move into public housing and to join national pension,
abolition of financial discrimination, revision of immigration
law, employment of teachers at national and public university,
and school enrollment guide, are few of the 200 administrative
rules, Mindan had succeeded in abolishing the 'nationality
conditions'.
Through Motherland Visit Project, about 50,000 Souren compatriots
fulfilled their dream to meet their relatives in Korea.
From 1975, Mindan carried out 'Motherland Visit Project for
Souren Compatriots'. This project allowed Souren compatriots
to visit Korea with temporary passport, without forcing them
to change their nationality. Until now, about 50,000 Souren
compatriots were granted the chance to meet their relatives
in Korea.
'Ignoring human rights, and treating foreigners as criminals',
Mindan members gathered at Hibiya open-air concert hall demanded
for the abolition of the fingerprint system of the foreigner
registration.
In 1983, Mindan drove '1 million signature movement to abolish
fingerprint system of the foreigner registration law', and
gathered over 1,817,000 signatures of approval. Meanwhile,
Mindan resorted to force against 'movement to keep fingerprint
system'.
Wishing for the success of the first Olympic Games held in
their motherland, members from all over Japan have gathered
10 billion yen. (a monument was built inside the Olympic park,
to praise the sponsorship of zainichi)
In 1988, the Zainichi Sponsor was formed to support Seoul
Olympic Games. The sponsor gathered over 10 billion yen, which
played an important part in the success of Seoul Olympic Games.
In 1991, at World Table Tennis Championship held at Chiba
Prefecture, Mindan has started organizational exchange with
Souren, envisioning the harmony of the zainichi society.
The '1991 issue' has focused to solve the problem concerning
the legal position of the over-2nd generations, which has
been left aside from the 'Agreement between Korea and Japan'
signed in 1965. Cooperating with the Korean Government, Mindan
had successfully acquired the rights of permanent residence
for zainichi posterity. Moreover, Mindan won the revision
of foreigner registration law including abolition of fingerprint
system and extension of reentry permit period.
At Hanshin earthquake, which occurred in 1995, Mindan started
rescue activities prior to any other Japanese government agencies,
with the spirit of 'harmony and mutual prosperity'. Regardless
of their nationality, Mindan delivered relief goods to Japanese
and Souren compatriots, contributing to the Japanese society.
Meeting its 50th anniversary, Mindan has changed its
name, and restarted with the goal of realizing a harmonious
society. (Nov. 1996, 50th anniversary ceremony held at Yoyogi
Gymnasium)
In Oct. 1996, 20,000 members gathered at 50th anniversary
ceremony, held at Yoyogi Gymnasium, appealing the idea of
'live together, create together, and prosper together' as
permanent residents in Japan. With such series of projects,
Mindan has uplifted its prestige, for the future of 700,000
zainichi and for the realization of the harmonious society.
Meanwhile in Korea, financial crisis broke out, which lead
Korea to receive immediate support, total of 55 billion dollars,
from the IMF (International Monetary Fund). Mindan drove 'Foreign
Currency Remittance Movement' setting the minimum to 100,000
yen per each household. Succeeding far beyond the target of
10 billion yen, the total amount of remittance reached about
90 billion yen, helping Korea to overcome the financial crisis.
Besides from the Zainichi Sponsor, Mindan have also participated
in voluntary activities held in various hosting cities. Meanwhile,
during the tournament, Mindan branches have opened their assembly
halls allowing soccer fans to gather and watch games of the
Korean national team. (Mindan members cheering after the victory
of Korea over Italy. = Mindan Central Hall =)
In 2002, Korea and Japan successfully co-hosted the World
Cup games, drawing attention from all around the world, as
the sports event characterized by phrases such as, 'the first
in the 21st century', 'the first World Cup in Asia', 'the
first co-host in the history of FIFA'.
Although the two countries have fell into unfortunate relationship
in the past, with the history's first co-host, the mood of
rooting for each other has naturally emerged and spread throughout
both countries. Furthermore, with various culture exchange,
the relationship between Korea and Japan has changed to one
of a friendly neighborhood.
Through its Zainichi Sponsor, Mindan gathered more than
100 million yen, which was handed to Organizing Committees
of both Korea and Japan. Furthermore, for the first time in
the history, Mindan composed 'joint cheering party' with Souren,
bringing harmony to the Korean compatriots in Japan.
Whenever typhoon or flood caused damage to our motherland,
Mindan has gathered contribution, and played a part in rescuing
such victims. (Summer of 2002, contribution campaign to support
the victims of typhoon 15)
As the official organization admitted by the Korean government,
Mindan has fulfilled its role of bridging the zainichi with
their motherland.
Mindan has carried out numerous projects for the development
of our motherland, devastated by 36 years of Japanese colonization,
and the Korean War. In 1973, cooperating with the Saemaul(Korean
word meaning 'new town') movement of the motherland, Mindan
carried out Saemaum-simki(Korean word meaning 'planting new
minds') movement of the 600,000 members, through which thousands
of trees were planted to the mountains of the motherland,
and sisterhood were established with 150 villages.
Complying with the Saemaul movement, zainichi carried out
'Saemaum-simki of the 600 thousands', where the 2nd generation
youths participated in tree-planting and other volunteer labor.
In 1977, Mindan composed Peaceful Reunification Promotion
Headquarter, to spread the peaceful reunification policy of
the Korean government throughout Japan. As soon as the Advisory
Conference for Peaceful Reunification was established in Korea,
Peaceful Reunification Promotion Headquarter tied-up with
various activities, making efforts to extend the base of support
in Japan.
In Nov. 1987, World Koreans Leaders Convention was established
under the leadership of Mindan. The convention is now guiding
leaders of 6 million overseas Korean, a) to protect the rights
and the interests of Koreans in foreign countries, and b)
to contribute to the development of our motherland as overseas
Koreans.
In the field of sports, the Zainichi Sponsor composed in
1964 Tokyo Olympic Games became the model. In every international
sports event, including 1970 Osaka Internation Exposition,
1986 10th Asian Games in Seoul, 1988 Seoul Olympic Games,
Hiroshima Asian Games, Beijing Asian Games, Fukuoka Universiade,
Zainichi Sponsor was composed to play a part in success of
such events.
Mindan has always shared sorrow with home Koreans. Mindan
gathered and spent 40 million yen for the sufferers of 2002
summer typhoon, 18 million yen for the victims of Taegu subway
fire tragedy, 40 million yen for the sufferers of 2003 summer
typhoon.
Establishment of Mindan (Oct. 3rd 1946)
The 3rd General Meeting held in Osaka, commemorating the first
anniversary of the establishment of Mindan. (Oct. 3rd 1947)
To save their motherland at the risk of their own lives, 641
zainichi volunteered to participate in Korean War, forming
Zainichi Student Militia. 
Struggling against the 'Repatriation to the North', members
of Mindan gathered in Nigata, sat over the railway stopping
the transport train.
In Tokyo Olympic Games, Mindan composed Zainichi Sponsor to
support the Korean team.
and interests of the zainichi'
15,000 zainichi rouse to action, demanding for the legal rights
and treatment. (Jun. 17th 1965, Hibiya open-air concert hall)
Through Motherland Visit Project, about 50,000 Souren compatriots
fulfilled their dream to meet their relatives in Korea.
'Ignoring human rights, and treating foreigners as criminals',
Mindan members gathered at Hibiya open-air concert hall demanded
for the abolition of the fingerprint system of the foreigner
registration.
Wishing for the success of the first Olympic Games held in
their motherland, members from all over Japan have gathered
10 billion yen. (a monument was built inside the Olympic park,
to praise the sponsorship of zainichi)
Meeting its 50th anniversary, Mindan has changed its
name, and restarted with the goal of realizing a harmonious
society. (Nov. 1996, 50th anniversary ceremony held at Yoyogi
Gymnasium)
Besides from the Zainichi Sponsor, Mindan have also participated
in voluntary activities held in various hosting cities. Meanwhile,
during the tournament, Mindan branches have opened their assembly
halls allowing soccer fans to gather and watch games of the
Korean national team. (Mindan members cheering after the victory
of Korea over Italy. = Mindan Central Hall =)
Whenever typhoon or flood caused damage to our motherland,
Mindan has gathered contribution, and played a part in rescuing
such victims. (Summer of 2002, contribution campaign to support
the victims of typhoon 15)
Complying with the Saemaul movement, zainichi carried out
'Saemaum-simki of the 600 thousands', where the 2nd generation
youths participated in tree-planting and other volunteer labor.