Pro-North Korea Group Organizes Cheer Squad for 2026 Asian Games

According to a report by Khaosod Online, the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) is planning to organize a dedicated cheer squad for North Korean athletes participating in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, scheduled from September 19 to October 4. The organization aims to support approximately 100 athletes competing across 14 different sports.

Chongryon, which maintains close ties to the Pyongyang government, described the initiative as a patriotic activity intended to demonstrate the unity of the Korean community in Japan. The group stated that the athletes are entering a potentially hostile environment, a sentiment they claim to share as a community.

For residents and travelers in Japan, this development highlights the ongoing political visibility of the Chongryon organization, which has been under close surveillance by Japanese authorities for decades. While the group was once a large organization, its membership has declined significantly since its founding in 1955 as many ethnic Koreans in Japan have integrated into mainstream society.

It remains to be confirmed how large these cheer squads will be and whether their presence at various venues will lead to any specific security or logistical adjustments during the games. Observers note that the group’s influence is currently a subject of ongoing scrutiny by the Japanese government.