OSAKA -- Korean residents in Japan expressed anger, sorrow and disappointment at Pyongyang's launch of six missiles Wednesday morning.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Many said they weren't surprised, but urged Tokyo and the media to react calmly.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'The launch of the missiles is an international issue. We hope the Japanese government will remember that. Likewise, we hope the Japanese media will not stir up anti-Korean hatred over the issue,' said Kim Jong Ui, a spokesman for the Osaka chapter of the pro-Pyongang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan –

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The pro-Seoul Korean Residents Union in Japan (Mindan) denounced the missile tests and called on Chongryun to pressure North Korea to refrain from further tests.

"Even though South Korea, Japan and the United States called on North Korea not to launch any missiles, the pleas were ignored, creating great anger and disappointment among the peoples of all three nations," Kim Han Ik, head of Osaka Mindan, said in a statement shortly after the tests.

"On June 24th, Mindan called upon Chongryun to persuade North Korea to cancel its missile tests. Chongryun should work to assist North Korea in resolving this problem."