MakePolicy.com

How strongly does the unresolved issue of kidnapped Japanese citizens complicate relations in the North East Asian region? Domestic pressure from the so-called rachhi jiken contributes strongly to Japanese Government policy towards North Korea. For those that are not aware of these issues – take a look at this recent publication.

North Korea – often known as the Hermit Kingdom only acknowledged these kidnappings in 2002. They explained that the reason for the kidnappings were to educate North Korean spies in Japanese language and customs. It was so that the agents could then slip into Japanese society.

Allegations and suspicions surrounding the abductions had persisted for years but Pyongyang had constantly dismissed them. abductions as fictional, part of a smear campaign engineered by South Korea’s Agency for National Security Planning. But on Sept. 17, 2002, Pyongyang admitted to the kidnapping of 12 Japanese citizens during the 1970s and ’80s. Later this was revised to 13.

Also, it was revealed that North Korean agents didn’t limit their abductions to Japanese citizens. South Korean film directors and actresses were taken to help produce films in North Korea. There has also been some mystery surrounding US Army soldier Charles Robert Jenkins, who contends that he was also kidnapped in 1965. Jenkins later married a Japanese abductee, Hitomi Soga. But for the Japanese people these kidnappings of their own citizens have become the most important issue to normalising relations with North Korea. Below is a photo of the Yokota family testifying before a House Committe on Capitol Hill in April 2006. A South Korean abductee listens at the side of Mrs. Yokota and her son stands behind her with photos of Megumi Yokota who was abducted by North Koreans over 30 years ago.

http://blog.ningin.com/2009/01/19/north-korea-kidnapped-my-daugher-a-memoir-by-sakie-yokota/

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