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| Axis of Evil |
| 5 Japanese Abductees to Return Home |
| 2002-10-09 |
| After nearly a quarter century, five Japanese abducted by North Korea will be allowed to return home briefly next week, but without their children. The five are among at least 13 Japanese kidnapped by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s to train spies in Japanese language and culture. They are the only ones known to be alive. The five — two men and three women now in their mid 40s — will be allowed to return next Tuesday for one or two weeks, but may not bring their children, said Shoichi Nakagawa, head of a lawmakers' group supporting families of abductees. The survivors married in North Korea and are said to have six children. That's mighty nice of the NKors. Of course, the kiddies do present a problem... Some survivors' families reacted angrily to the news the children would not be coming to Japan. "They should come back with the entire family. Leaving behind the kids — my grandchildren — is like leaving behind hostages," said Tamotsu Chimura, father of Yasushi Chimura, who was abducted in 1978. That's precisely what it's like. He's got that one nailed. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #2 It's just more evidence that the North Koreans don't know how to make a gesture without making a face at the same time. Don't forget, this is still the same year they last attacked the South Korean coast guard. Japan is still trying to digest the stunning announcement that five are alive -- and eight are mysteriously dead. And there's not a few who remain very suspicious that the number 13 is a bit low -- previous estimates by survivors groups often topped 20. The US has been playing bad cop here, which has allowed Japan to secure a surprising good-cop win. The hope seems to be that appeasing them now (from Japan's perspective, not ours) costs nothing and can perhaps get more information in the future, while a more tight-lipped approach could close off opportunity again, as NK has frequently demonstrated it's perfectly willing to do. |
| Posted by: Dan Hartung 2002-10-09 15:27:27 |
| #1 Why for only 2 weeks?! These people were kidnapped! I can't imagine the Japanese returning these people against their will or on the NK's timetable. This seems like a recipe for an international incident. Should be interesting. |
| Posted by: John 2002-10-09 14:50:41 |