February 1, 2002, Donga-Ilbo
KWAFU Calls on Ministry of Unification to Pass Special Law for Abductees


The Korean War Abductees’ Family Union (KWAFU, Mi-il Lee, president), has sent an official request to the minister of unification calling for the establishment of a dedicated department in the ministry dealing with the Korean War abductee issue and the passage of a special law for abductees.

In the request, the family union said that, “The government has expressed doubt that the abductees were actually abducted by North Korea, and has refused to recognize the remaining families in South Korea as victims. As a result, these families have suffered numerous disadvantages, their job prospects included.” The family union also called for the government to “create and implement a plan to solve the issue of the more than 80,000 Korean War abductees.”

“The government has made no effort whatsoever to find official documents related to those figures who were abducted during the Korean War,” KWAFU President Lee said. “We hope the government takes measures to recognize that those abducted during the Korean War are just as much victims as those who were abducted after the signing of the Armistice Agreement.”