Sept. 19, 2002, Chosun Ilbo, Lee In Gu
“Raise the Issue of Abductees to the North,”
Say Abductee Advocacy Groups


Following the admission by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il that his country had abducted Japanese citizens, groups advocating for North Korean abductions of South Korean citizens are calling for the South Korean government to officially raise the issue with the North.

The Korean War Abductees’ Family Union (KWAFU, Mi-il Lee, president) released a statement yesterday saying, “The South Korean government has removed the abductee issue, which affects 82,959 South Korean citizens abducted during the Korean War, from the agenda in negotiations with the North. The government should demand that Chairman Kim Jong Il immediately release a list of those abducted, render an apology for the abductions, confirm the whereabouts of living abductees, repatriate the remains of those who have died, and halt any further aid to the North until these issues are solved.”

The family union also noted that, “Given that Kim Jong Il has officially admitted to the abductions of Japanese civilians, the South Korean government should stop ridiculing the abductees and their families by incorrectly calling them ‘missing persons’ or ‘divided families.’ The government should use the term ‘North Korean abductees.’”

KWAFU and ten members from the group Families of Abducted and Detained in North Korea (Chae Woo Young, president) plan to visit the Ministry of Unification this morning to protest the government’s passive attitude toward the abductee issue. The Citizens' Coalition for Human Rights of Abductees and North Korean Refugees (CHNK) is also planning a major rally and demonstration early next week to protest the government’s position.