[USFK Forums] Japan cracks down N. Korea network in abduction row [Channel]

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Friday, March 24, 2006

Japan cracks down on North Korean network in abduction row

23 March 2006 2117 hrs (SST)
URL : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...199478/1/.html

TOKYO : Japan has cracked down on a network suspected of helping North Korean agents kidnap Japanese citizens. Hundreds of Japanese police officers conducted a city-wide raid in Osaka.

They raided several business groups linked to the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents. Many of them are suspected of involvement in the 1980 kidnap of Tadaaki Hara. Mr Hara was then working as a cook in a noodle restaurant owned by the former chief of one of the raided business groups. He was 43 when he disappeared from a beach in southwestern Japan.

Investigations pointed to his abduction by former North Korean agent Sin Guang Su. Sin was later arrested in South Korea, granted amnesty and sent back to North Korea where he received a hero's welcome.

Japanese police earlier demanded that Pyongyang hands Sin over but the request was rejected. Now they want Interpol to place Sin and another suspected agent on its international "wanted" list.

Mr Shinzo Abe, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, says: "I sincerely hope the police can conduct a solid investigation and find out the truth." North Korea has admitted to kidnapping Japanese civilians in the 70s and 80s to train its spies.
Pyongyang has even repatriated five victims and their families but claims 11 others are either dead or missing.

Tokyo, however, believes at least eight more abductees are still alive. Japan wants this issue resolved before its diplomatic ties with North Korea are normalised.

Bilateral talks between the two sides last month failed to make headway on this matter. And the latest raids in Osaka are seen as Tokyo's attempt to push Pyongyong into taking action. - CNA/de

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