[USFK Forums] Photo shows abductees held in North Korea (SCHP 50203]

[C. Y. Lee]

[Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Monday, November 28, 2005] This is to supplement the preceding article without a photo, but it provides an added value, telling more stories you have not had as follows:
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KOREA: Photo shows abductees held in North Korea

A photo of 36 South Koreans abducted by North Korea released by activist group

South China Morning Post
Thursday, February 3, 2005
By Khang Hyun-Sung

In an attempt to force the government to take action on the issue of South Koreans abducted by North Korea, a Seoul-based group has released what it says is the first-ever photo of abductees kidnapped by the North more than 30 years ago.

The black and white picture features 36 men, mostly fishermen abducted while at work. "The photo was received from activists working for North Korean defectors in China," said Choi Sung-Young, the leader of a group representing the families of the 486 South Koreans to have been abducted by the North.

Taken at a Buddhist temple at Moh Hyang mountain in central North Korea, the photo is described as a reunion of three fishing crews and is thought to have been taken in 1974, less than three years after they were seized.

The group is accompanied by two government officials, while ordinary North Koreans look on. Twelve of the men in the picture were working on a boat in the West Sea in January 1971. The remaining 24 were kidnapped from two boats in December the following year.

The photo has reawakened many painful memories. Yoo Wu-bong identified her husband after three decades of separation.

"After bearing this scar for all these years, just tell me if he is dead or alive," Mrs Yoo was reported by daily JoonAng Ilbo as saying. "Oh! My God. It is him ... I should never have let him go," said Park Jung-Soon, 63, identifying her husband, Lee Jae-Myong.

Families of kidnap victims have long accused Seoul of ignoring the issue of its abducted nationals. "The Seoul government has neglected its duty. I really hope it takes some active measures to bring back South Koreans being detained in the North," campaigner Choi Sung-young said.

The issue of North Korean abductions was thrust into the spotlight last month when a former North Korean spy confessed in court to helping abduct 15 people including Kim Dong-Shik, a South Korean pastor, in recent years.

A group of 20 US members of Congress has written to North Korea's UN ambassador demanding the immediate release of Mr Kim.''

Date Posted: 2/3/2005
This page can be found on the web at http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/articl...parentid=20321