FACTOID # 124: Teachers make up 7.8 percent of Iceland’s labor force - and they only have to teach 38 weeks per year.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

SEARCH ALL

FACTS & STATISTICS    Advanced view

Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 

 

(* = Graphable)

 

 


Encyclopedia > North Korean abductions of Japanese
In May 2004, North Korea allowed the five children of two abducted couples to leave North Korea and join their families, who had come back to Japan for a year and a half.
In May 2004, North Korea allowed the five children of two abducted couples to leave North Korea and join their families, who had come back to Japan for a year and a half.

The North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens from Japan by agents of the North Korean government happened during a period of six years from 1977 to 1983. Although only sixteen (8 men and 8 women) are officially recognized by the Japanese government, there may have been as many as 70 to 80 Japanese abducted.[1] The North Korean government has officially admitted kidnapping thirteen citizens.[2] A possible seventeenth case, that of Kyoko Matsumoto, has been under evaluation for official recognition since November 2006. Although no new evidence has been put forth recently as of December 2006, the Japanese National Police stress they have not forgotten the case and hope to transmit that same message to the Japanese People.[3] Image File history File links Abductedreturnhome. ... Image File history File links Abductedreturnhome. ... North Korea, officially the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK; Korean: Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk; Hangul: 조선민주주의인민공화국; Hanja: 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國), is a country in eastern Asia, covering the northern half of the peninsula of Korea. ... There is still dispute as to whether Japan is a constitutional monarchy or a republic. ...


Most of the missing were in their 20s, although the youngest, Megumi Yokota, was just 13[4] when she disappeared in November 1977 from the Japanese city of Niigata on the west coast. The North Korean government claims that she committed suicide on 13 March 1994.[5] Megumi Yokota (Japanese: 横田めぐみ; Yokota Megumi, born October 15, 1964)-March 13, 1994, is one of at least thirteen Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s. ... Niigata ) is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ...


It is believed that the victims were abducted to teach the Japanese language and culture at North Korean spy schools.[4] Older victims were also abducted to obtain their persona, but these abductees are believed to have been killed immediately.[citation needed] It is also speculated that Japanese women were abducted to become wives to a group of North Korean terrorists, and that some may have been abducted because they happened to witness North Korean agents in Japan, which may explain Yokota's kidnapping.[6] Not to be confused with the Javanese language. ...


For a long time, these abductions were denied by North Korea and were often considered a conspiracy theory. Despite pressure by Japanese parent groups, the Japanese government itself took no action because the now-defunct Socialist Party of Japan, which had maintained close ties with North Korea, vehemently denied the abductions.[citation needed] There are also claims that this issue is now being used by Japanese nationalists, including former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to "further militarization", push for revision of the Constitution in order to allow Japan to have an army, revise Basic Education Law and forward other political goals.[7][8] However, such claims have been criticized by Kyoko Nakayama, Tokyo Special adviser to the Japanese prime minister on abduction, that "This is about rescuing our citizens (from ongoing abduction)... They deserve all possible support to regain their freedom and dignity. It is our duty to retrieve them" (see Norimitsu Onishi). For other uses, see Conspiracy theory (disambiguation). ... Shinzo Abe , ; born 21 September 1954) is the current Prime Minister of Japan, elected by a special session of the National Diet on 26 September 2006. ... Norimitsu Onishi ) is a Canadian journalist born in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. ...

Contents

Talks between North Korea and Japan in 2002 and aftermath

On 17 September 2002, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited North Korea to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. There, Kim admitted abducting 13 Japanese citizens, and issued an oral apology. He attributed the kidnappings to "some people who wanted to show their heroism and adventurism", and avoided taking the blame. is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Junichiro Koizumi , born January 8, 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2001 to 2006. ... Kim Jong-il (also written as Kim Jong Il) (born February 16, 1942) is the leader of North Korea. ...


North Korea also provided death certificates for 8 people who the North claimed were dead, but later admitted that they were forgeries in a conference in November 2004.


Return of five victims

Later, North Korea allowed the five victims that it said were alive to return to Japan, on the condition that they return later to the North. The victims set foot on Japanese soil on October 15, 2002. is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...


However, the Japanese government, listening to the pleas of the general public and the abductee victims' families, told the North that the victims would not be returning. North Korea claimed that this was a violation of the agreement and refused to continue further talks.


The five victims returned were Yasushi Chimura, his wife Fukie, Kaoru Hasuike, his wife Yukiko, and Hitomi Soga. This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...


"Return" of the families of the victims

On May 22, 2004, Prime Minister Koizumi visited Pyongyang for the second time, and the five children of the Chimuras(three) and the Hasuikes(two), who were born in North Korea, were able to "return" to Japan. is the 142nd day of the year (143rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Not to be confused with PyeongChang. ...


Because Hitomi Soga's husband, Charles Robert Jenkins, was a defector of the United States Army and risked a court-martial, the family met in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 9, 2004 and later Jenkins and their two daughters returned on July 18 to Japan. Charles Robert Jenkins (born February 18, 1940) is a former United States Army soldier who lived in North Korea from 1965 to 2004 after deserting his unit and crossing the DMZ. // Jenkins was born in Rich Square, North Carolina. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... A court-martial (plural courts-martial) is a military court that determines punishments for members of the military subject to military law. ... Jakarta (also DKI Jakarta), is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. ... is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


Further evidence and investigations

In November 2004, North Korea returned two human remains, stating that they were the remains of Megumi Yokota and Kaoru Matsuki, who the North claimed died after being abducted. Subsequent Japanese DNA testing determined that these remains belonged to neither of the two. However, the independent scientific journal "Nature" published an article highly critical of this testing, which was performed at Teikyo University by Yoshii Tomio, a relatively junior faculty member (lecturer) in a forensics department without a professor. Yoshii later admitted that he had no previous experience in the analysis of cremated specimens. This mistake—intentional or not—further strained relations between Japan and North Korea, and is discussed in more detail in the article on Megumi Yokota. Megumi Yokota (Japanese: 横田めぐみ; Yokota Megumi, born October 15, 1964)-March 13, 1994, is one of at least thirteen Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s. ... Genetic fingerprinting, DNA testing, DNA typing, and DNA profiling are techniques used to distinguish between individuals of the same species using only samples of their DNA. Its invention by Dr. Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester was announced in 1985. ... Megumi Yokota (Japanese: 横田めぐみ; Yokota Megumi, born October 15, 1964)-March 13, 1994, is one of at least thirteen Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s. ...


In an interview with Japanese police, Yasushi Chimura and Kaoru Hasuike, two of the abductees allowed to return to Japan in 2004, identified two of their abductors as Sin Gwang-su (known also as Sin Kwang-su) and a man known as "Pak." The National Police Agency has requested the arrest of Shin Kwang Su and Choi Sung Chol over the kidnapping of Japanese nationals. Shin reportedly told police in South Korea that he had been personally ordered by Kim Jong-il to carry out abductions.[9] Sin Gwang-su (born June 27, 1929) is a North-Korean who was born in Shizuoka, Japan and was involved in the North Korean abductions of Japanese. ... The National Police Agency (警察庁 Keisatsucho) is the central coordinating body of the Japanese police system. ... Kim Jong-il (also written as Kim Jong Il) (born February 16, 1942) is the leader of North Korea. ...


In March 2006, Osaka police raided six facilities, including the North Korean Chamber of Commerce, in an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the June 1980 disappearance of one of the alleged abductees, Tadaaki Hara. All six facilities were linked to Chongryon, a pro-Pyongyang Korean residents organisation in Japan. Police spokesman said that the head of Chongryon at the time is suspected of co-operating in his kidnap.[10] The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chae Ilbon Chosŏnin Chongryŏnhaphoe in Korean or Zai-Nihon Chōsenjin Sōrengōkai in Japanese), abbreviated to Chongryon (Korean: 총련, Hanja: 總聯) or Chōsen Sōren (Japanese: 朝鮮総連), is one of two main organisations for Zainichi (or Jaeil) Koreans (long...


Current situation

Sakie Yokota (mother of an abducted girl, Megumi Yokota) met with President of the United States, George Walker Bush
Sakie Yokota (mother of an abducted girl, Megumi Yokota) met with President of the United States, George Walker Bush

The North Korean government continues to claim that there were only 13 abductees and that the issue has been resolved with the return of the five victims. However, the Japanese government claims that the issue has not been properly resolved, and that all evidence provided by the North is forged. Image File history File links Abductee_families_of_North_Korean_abductions. ... Image File history File links Abductee_families_of_North_Korean_abductions. ... Megumi Yokota (Japanese: 横田めぐみ; Yokota Megumi, born October 15, 1964)-March 13, 1994, is one of at least thirteen Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician and the 43rd and current President of the United States. ...


As of May 2004, five abductee victims and their families (ten in total) have returned from North Korea. However, there are still a great number of alleged victims who are missing.


Although then-Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda commented on 24 December 2004 that "unless honest measures are taken swiftly, we cannot help but impose strict measures", hinting at possible sanctions, such moves have not yet been taken by the Japanese government.[11] In Japan, the Chief Cabinet Secretary ) is the Minister of State charged with directing the Cabinet Secretariat. ... Hiroyuki Hosoda (細田博之) (b. ... is the 358th day of the year (359th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The victims' support group has also looked to the United Nations for help. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, in a speech given in the Japanese Diet on February 24, 2004, mentioned the issue, sympathized with the victims and their families and expressed wishes for a complete settlement.[12] UN and U.N. redirect here. ... Kofi Atta Annan GCMG (born April 8, 1938) is a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1, 1997 to January 1, 2007, serving two five-year terms. ... is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Later that year, the United States Congress passed the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004.[13] In response to this, the South Korean ruling party, not wanting to damage North-South relations, expressed concern.[citation needed] On the other hand, the victims' families and their supporters expressed gratitude towards the United States government and president.[14] Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... Signed into U.S. law by President George W. Bush on October 18, 2004, The North Korean Human Rights Act is intended to make it easier for the United States to assist North Korean refugees by: (1) Providing humanitarian assistance to North Koreans inside North Korea; (2) Providing grants to... This article on Inter-Korean relations describes the political, diplomatic, and military relationship between North Korea and South Korea, from the division of Korea to today. ...


In 2004, the Japanese Diet passed two laws designed to restrict trade with North Korea.[15]


On November 2, 2005, the United Kingdom led 45 countries, including the European Union, the United States and Japan, in submitting a proposal condemning North Korea to the United Nations. On December 16 this proposal passed the General Assembly with 88 support, 21 against and 60 abstention votes. In particular, China and Russia were against this proposal, and the South Korean government abstained. The proposal condemns North Korea of "systematic humanitarian violations", and mentions the abduction issue, the existence of concentration camps and the forced return of North Korean refugees to the homeland.[16] is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that Internment be merged into this article or section. ...


A working group dealing with human rights abuses has also been set up at the six-party talks.[citation needed] South Korean name Chinese name Japanese name Russian name The six-party talks aim to find a peaceful resolution to the security concerns as a result of the North Korean nuclear weapons program. ...


United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed support for the abduction issue,[17] and the United States government has indicated that the resolution of the issue is one of the prerequisites for removing North Korea from the list of terrorist-supporting nations.[citation needed] Condoleezza Rice (born November 14, 1954) is the 66th United States Secretary of State, and the second in the administration of President George W. Bush to hold the office. ...


On April 27, 2006, Sakie Yokota, mother of abductee Megumi Yokota, testified in a United States House of Representatives subcommittee about the abduction issue. The next day, Yokota met with US President George W. Bush to ask for the United States' help in resolving the abduction issue. The President called the meeting "one of the most moving meetings" in his presidency and questioned North Korea's actions.[18] is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Type Bicameral Speaker of the House of Representatives House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Steny Hoyer, (D) since January 4, 2007 House Minority Leader John Boehner, (R) since January 4, 2007 Members 435 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ...


On June 13, 2006, the North Korean Human Rights Bill, calling for sanctions to be placed on North Korea, was tabled in the Japanese Diet.[19] is the 164th day of the year (165th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Victims officially recognised by the Japanese government

Sixteen nationals are officially recognised by the Japanese government as victims of the abduction issue. The sixteenth, Minoru Tanaka, was added to the list on 27 April 2005 following discovery of evidence supporting the theory that he was abducted.[20] is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Name Gender Born Circumstances of disappearance Current status
Yutaka Kume Male ca. 1925 Disappeared in September 1977 from Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture North Korea denies any involvement[5]
Megumi Yokota Female October 15, 1964 Disappeared November 15, 1977 from Niigata, Niigata Prefecture Allegedly died March 13, 1994 in North Korea [date was originally announced as 1993 but was later corrected by Pyongyang]
Yasushi Chimura Male June 4, 1955 Disappeared on July 7, 1978 together with his fiancee Fukie Hamamoto near coast of Obama, Fukui. Alive (returned)
Fukie Hamamoto Female June 8, 1955 Disappeared in July 7, 1978 together with her fiance Yasushi Chimura near coast of Obama, Fukui. Alive (returned)
Yaeko Taguchi Female August 10, 1955 Disappeared June 1978 from Tokyo Allegedly died July 30, 1986 in North Korea.
Rumiko Masumoto Female November 1, 1954 Disappeared August 12, 1978 from Fukiage Kagoshima Prefecture, together with her boyfriend Shuichi Ichikawa Allegedly died August 17, 1981 in North Korea
Shuichi Ichikawa Male October 20, 1954 Disappeared August 12, 1978 from Fukiage Kagoshima Prefecture, together with his girlfriend Rumiko Masumoto Allegedly died September 4, 1979 in North Korea
Hitomi Soga Female May 17, 1959 Disappeared together with her mother Miyoshi Soga on August 1978 from Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture Married Charles Robert Jenkins, a deserter from the United States Army, in 1980, and returned to Japan with him in 2004.
Miyoshi Soga Female ca. 1932 Disappeared together with her daughter Hitomi Soga on August 1978 from Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture Unknown
Tadaaki Hara Male August 10, 1936 Disappeared June 1980 from Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture Allegedly died July 19, 1986 in North Korea
Toru Ishioka Male June 29, 1957 Disappeared May 1980 from Madrid, Spain during a trip in Europe Allegedly died November 4, 1988 in North Korea
Kaoru Matsuki Male June 23, 1953 Disappeared May, 1980 from Madrid, Spain during a trip in Europe Allegedly died August 23, 1996 in North Korea
Keiko Arimoto Female January 12, 1960 Disappeared June 1983 from London, United Kingdom while studying English abroad Allegedly died November 4, 1988 in North Korea
Kaoru Hasuike Male September 29, 1957 Disappeared July 31, 1978 with his girlfriend Yukiko Okudo from coast of Kashiwazaki, Niigata. Alive (returned)
Yukiko Okudo Female April 15, 1956 Disappeared July 31, 1978 with her boyfriend Kaoru Hasuike from coast of Kashiwazaki, Niigata. Alive (returned)
Minoru Tanaka Male ca. 1950 Disappeared in June 1978. Persuaded to go overseas, and taken to North Korea later[20] North Korea denies any involvement[21]

The article incorporates text from OpenHistory. ... Ishikawa Prefecture ) is located in the Chubu region on Honshu island, Japan. ... Megumi Yokota (Japanese: 横田めぐみ; Yokota Megumi, born October 15, 1964)-March 13, 1994, is one of at least thirteen Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s. ... is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Niigata ) is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, Japan. ... Niigata Prefecture ) is located on HonshÅ« island on the coast of the Sea of Japan. ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Categories: Cities in Fukui Prefecture | Japan geography stubs ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Categories: Cities in Fukui Prefecture | Japan geography stubs ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... is the 211th day of the year (212th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Fukiage (吹上町; -chou) is a town located in Hioki District, Kagoshima, Japan. ... Kagoshima Prefecture ) is located on KyÅ«shÅ« island, Japan. ... is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... AUGUST 25 1981 US Marine Sean Vance is Born on the 25th of August {ear nav|1981}} Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Fukiage (吹上町; -chou) is a town located in Hioki District, Kagoshima, Japan. ... Kagoshima Prefecture ) is located on KyÅ«shÅ« island, Japan. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sado, Niigata. ... Niigata Prefecture ) is located on HonshÅ« island on the coast of the Sea of Japan. ... Charles Robert Jenkins (born February 18, 1940) is a former United States Army soldier who lived in North Korea from 1965 to 2004 after deserting his unit and crossing the DMZ. // Jenkins was born in Rich Square, North Carolina. ... The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Sado, Niigata. ... Niigata Prefecture ) is located on HonshÅ« island on the coast of the Sea of Japan. ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Miyazaki (宮崎市; -shi) is the capital city of Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu island of Japan. ... Map of Miyazaki Prefecture. ... is the 200th day of the year (201st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the Spanish capital. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... {| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Location of Kashiwazaki in the Niigata Prefecture. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A car from 1956 Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Location of Kashiwazaki in the Niigata Prefecture. ...

Other abductions by North Korea

See also: North Korean abductions of South Koreans

North Korea has also perpetrated abductions in South Korea, which has the highest number of citizens abducted by the North. The number of South Korean abductees is put at 486[22] or 485.[23] An estimated 83,000 South Koreans were taken to North Korea during the Korean War. ...


In December 1969, a Korean Air YS-11 was hijacked by a North Korean agent soon after taking off from Gangneung.[24] The pilot was forced to fly and land in North Korea. The passenger, crew and aircraft have yet to be returned. North Korea claims that this was an act of asylum by the pilot, but it is considered to be another case of abduction. Korean Air (formerly Korean Air Lines) (KRXS: 003490) (Korean Air Daehan Hanggong) is the flag carrier airline of Korea, its global headquarters are located in Seoul, Korea. ... The NAMC YS-11 is a turboprop airliner built by a Japanese consortium, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. ... Gangneung is a city in Gangwon Province, on the east coast of South Korea. ... Right of asylum (or political asylum) is an ancient judicial notion, under which a person persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in his or her country may be protected by another sovereign authority, a foreign country, or Church sanctuaries (as in medieval times). ...


In the 1970s, many women were abducted from Lebanon, and in July 1977 there was an attempt to kidnap a Korean pianist/actress and her spouse from Yugoslavia.[24] There were also incidents in which Korean high school students were kidnapped. Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in the Latin alphabet, Југославија in Cyrillic; English: South Slavia, or literary The Land of South Slavs) describes three political entities that existed one at a time on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century. ... For other uses, see High school (disambiguation). ...


The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has begun investigations on the Korean abductees. Abductee Hitomi Soga has also testified that citizens of Romania and Thailand were among the abductees.[25] The family of an abduction victim from Thailand has been identified, and the Japanese government is working with the Thai government to resolve the issue. United Nations Commission on Human Rights - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...


It may be that even Americans have been abducted by North Koreans. In 1987, Susan Richardson (who played Susan Bradford on the TV Show "Eight is Enough") claimed to have been kidnapped and taken to North Korea, where she was held against her will. When she later escaped and made it back to the West, no one believed her story. Subsequently she had a breakdown and her career faltered. Susan Richardson Susan Richardson (born March 11, 1952 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania) is an American actress, best known for her role as Susan Bradford on the television series Eight is Enough, which she played from 1977 to 1981. ...


Controversies

There is also controversy about whether the remains of Megumi Yokota returned by North Korea to Japan are hers or not. The Japanese government tested them and claims they are not.[citation needed] But in February 2005, the British scientific journal Nature published an article in which Teikyo University DNA analyst who did the tests, Yoshii Tomio, admitted the result could be inconclusive. Likewise, the technique used is reportedly no longer used professionally in the United States due to the ease with which contamination can occur. According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the remains are not available for further testing.[26] This article is about the physical universe. ... Teikyo University(帝京大学 Teikyo daigaku) One of the private universities in Japan Headquarters is Itabashi-ku. ... The structure of part of a DNA double helix Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a nucleic acid molecule that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. ...


References

  1. ^ Asian Political News (Kyodo). N. Korean defector says 70-80 Japanese abducted by North. Retrieved on 1 May, 2006.
  2. ^ Associated Press. North Korea rejects DNA link to Megumi Yokota abduction case. Retrieved on 2006-05-01.
  3. ^ New York Times, Asia/Pacific Section, December 16, 2006
  4. ^ a b McCurry, Justin. North Korea's kidnap victims return home after 25 years. Retrieved on 2006-05-01.
  5. ^ a b Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan). Abduction of Japanese Citizens by North Korea. Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  6. ^ http://www.slate.com/id/2087627/ Why North Koreans Were Kidnappers
  7. ^ Norimitsu Onishi (International Herald Tribune). Abduction issue used by Japanese nationalists. Retrieved on 2006-12-18.
  8. ^ Gregory Clark (Japan Times). Ideological laundry unfurled. Retrieved on 2006-11-21.
  9. ^ http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20060205TDY02005.htm
  10. ^ [1]
  11. ^ National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea. Prospectus. Retrieved on 2006-05-01.
  12. ^ アナン国連事務総長の訪日 (Japanese), The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
  13. ^ http://www.theorator.com/bills108/hr4011.html North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004
  14. ^ the National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea
  15. ^ http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20040407a2.html "Bill to bar ships from ports goes to Diet"
  16. ^ 北朝鮮人権非難決議、国連総会で初採択…拉致など指摘,Yomiuri Shinbun , 2005.12.17.
  17. ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan). Visit to Japan by U.S. Secretary of State Rice. Retrieved on 2006-05-01.
  18. ^ Iwama, Toshimitsu. Bush meets family of Japanese woman abducted by North Korea. Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  19. ^ BBC News Online. N Korea to face Japan sanctions. Retrieved on 2006-06-13.
  20. ^ a b 外務省: 北朝鮮による日本人拉致問題
  21. ^ 神戸新聞ニュース:総合/2005.04.26/北朝鮮の拉致断定 神戸出身の田中実さん
  22. ^ Lankov, Andrei. Body snatching, North Korean style. Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  23. ^ Nakamura, Yuichiro. S. Korea reacts to abductions. Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  24. ^ a b Nanto, Dick K.. [http://www.fas.org/man/crs/RL30004.pdf North Korea: Chronology of Provocations, 1950 - 2003]. Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  25. ^ Takahara, Kanako. Abductees' multinational kin unite. Retrieved on 2006-04-30.
  26. ^ Time Magazine. Bones of Contention. Retrieved on 2006-10-27.

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (外務省; gaimu-sho) is one of the ministries of the Japanese government. ... The Yomiuri Shimbun (読売新聞) is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and so on. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 164th day of the year (165th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

An estimated 83,000 South Koreans were taken to North Korea during the Korean War. ... Japanese people in North Korea consist mainly of four groups of people: Japanese prisoners-of-war from the Soviet Union, Japanese accompanying repatriating Zainichi Korean spouses, members of the Japanese Communist Partys Red Army Faction, and kidnap victims. ... Kim Hyun Hui (Hangul: 김현희 aka Ok Hwa) (b. ...

External links

  • The abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea, Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet
  • North Korean Abduction Victims Worldwide, National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea
  • Investigation Commission on Missing Japanese Probably Related to North Korea
  • Noel Paul Stookey: Song for Megumi
  • THINK (Their Home Isn't North Korea)
  • [2] Abduction - The Megumi Yokota Story] film about the most famous abduction case
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... This article is about the governmental body. ...

  Results from FactBites:
 
Making Sense of the North Korean Crisis 12 questions with Gavan McCormack by Stephen R. Shalom & Mark Selden (5299 words)
North Korea is a fossilized encapsulation of the 20th century: the legacies of colonialism, imperialist interventions, externally imposed division of the country, and incorporation in the Cold War, all remain unresolved.
North Korean "face" is an important part of the security equation and a sympathy for the pain and the sense of justice that drive it, however perverted, will be needed for security goals to be met.
North Korea is essentially a Korean problem and South Korea must assume a central role in negotiations and plans for the future because its people must after all live with their northern compatriots.
Regional Implications of the Changing Nuclear Equation on the Korean Peninsula (2026 words)
North Korea's programs for nuclear weapons, and the means to deliver them at increasingly longer range, pose a serious regional and a global threat.
North Korea has so far rejected a multilateral approach, but we do not believe this is its last word or its final position.
North Korean provocations are disturbing, but they cannot be permitted to yield gains to North Korea.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:
 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.