Seoul, Tokyo urged to take joint action on NK abduction

By Do Je-hae

Families of citizens abducted by North Korea during the Cold War era are calling for joint action by South Korea and Japan to resolve the issue.

Choi Seong-ryong, who leads the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, said Monday that the organization petitioned the leaders and foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan last month.

In the petition, the organization called on President Park Geun-hye and Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and their Japanese counter parts to conduct a thorough investigation into how their relatives were taken to North Korea and information about their lives since they were abducted.

“We strongly demand the leaders of the two countries launch a full-scale investigation and relieve the pain of the victims’ families,” Choi said.

Choi denounced North Korea for denying the abductions and refusing to disclose the truth about the lives of those held. “We want to know the truth behind the abductions and their current status,” he said.

The association called for joint cooperation from the two countries in resolving the abduction issue in order to draw more attention to it from the United Nations and the international community.

The issue of South Koreans kidnapped by North Korea came to light during the reunion of families separated by the 1950-1953 Korean War which concluded Monday. A fisherman who was captured by North Korea in 1972 reunited with his family in South Korea on Saturday during the second round of reunion event at Mt. Geumgang.

Jeong Geon-mok, 64, met with his mother, 88, and his sister for the first time in 43 years. Jung and 24 other fishermen on the ship Ohdaeyang were taken to North Korea after their ship was seized by the North Korean coast guard in the West Sea. North Korea has not disclosed information regarding the whereabouts of the fishermen. Jung’s post-abduction status remained unknown until the family reunion.