De facto DPRK embassy to stay put in Tokyo

The de facto embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Japan appears to have won its battle to stay put in its sprawling central Tokyo location, despite having been forced to sell the property.

Chongryon - the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan - is being leased the building by its new owners, reports said, apparently ending months of uncertainty after Japanese courts ruled it had to be sold.

A Japanese real estate company took over ownership of the 2,390 square meter plot and 10-story building in November, after a forced auction to repay outstanding debts.