Dear Mr. Koizumi Junichiro

In historically meaningful year of 100 years since the annexation of Korea by Japan, 60 years since Korea ' s restoration of independence and 40 years since normalization of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations, in remembrance of its meaning through introspection and liquidation of the past, people of Korea have been trying not to repeat the unfortunate past and to find better ways to enhance our friendly relations with Japan.

The reason we are writing to you is to insist the Japanese government ' s responsible response to hardship faced by a village of Koreans in Japan symbolizing the unfortunate past. Around 200 Koreans in 51 Utoro, Uji City, Japan are living in anxiety of a forced eviction from a land they regard as home over 60 years.

The inferior living conditions in which the residents of Utoro live make us reassess the reality of Japan, the second largest economy in the world. Furthermore, considering the attitudes of the Japanese government which does not obey the international covenant on housing rights and forced eviction declared by the UN human rights committee with which Japan, itself is affiliated, it casts doubts on whether Japan has all the pre requisites and qualifications to become a permanent member of UN.

“ No value surpasses the value of human rights. We believe that no one in the world is exception to the universality of human rights. No government can deny the concepts of good reign over its people, anti-discrimination, control by the law and democratization. ” This is what ambassador Fujisaki Ichiro said in UN on the 23 rd of March.

Respecting the history of residents of Utoro and ensuring their rights to live are not only relevant to future Korea-Japan relations but also to the justice and conscience, peace and friendship of the world. Till its resolution, with the friends of Utoro from all over the world, we will closely watch the Japanese government ' s future responses to issues faced by the residents of Utoro.

Thank you.