Japan, DPRK talk about abductions

Issue has been a major obstacle in frosty relations between nations

The special investigating committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea started talks on Tuesday with a Japanese delegation seeking an update on an investigation into abductions of Japanese nationals by DPRK agents during the 1970s and 1980s.

So Dae-ha, chairman of the committee, met with Junichi Ihara, director general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the DPRK immigration bureau, where the committee is based.

"I know that there are different voices in Japan about this visit. Under such circumstances, the visit of the delegation has demonstrated Japan's position that it will abide by the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration. Japan has made the right choice," So said.

So also introduced heads of the panels set up under the investigation committee.

The committee, composed of about 30 officials, has four panels in the capital city of Pyongyang and branches in other cities and counties across the country, according to the DPRK's state media outlet, KCNA.

The four panels will be evaluating the remains of Japanese people as well as seeking information about other Japanese who may be missing in the DPRK.

Ihara emphasized in the meeting that the abduction issue is a top priority.

Initial report

The DPRK announced in early July the establishment of the special investigation committee tasked with looking into the fate of the Japanese kidnapped in late 1970s and early 1980s.

But in September, the DPRK side failed to provide an initial report for Japan. Later, during intergovernmental talks, the DPRK asked Japan to send a delegation to Pyongyang for more information about the issue, according to Japanese media.

The two sides will engage in two days of closed-door talks on the latest developments. The Japanese government officials who arrived in Pyongyang on Monday will leave on Thursday.

The DPRK acknowledged in 2002 that it had abducted 13 Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s. Talks on the issue were shelved in December 2012, when the DPRK launched a long-range missile.

Eight abductees have died and the remaining five have been repatriated, the DPRK said. However, Japan has pressed for more information about the fate of the abductees who died, as well as others it believes were also kidnapped.

The abduction issue has long been a major obstacle between the two governments, which have no formal diplomatic relations.

Japan said hundreds more people may have been abducted and some may still be alive.

Xinhua - AP

(China Daily 10/29/2014 page11)