Historic meeting

[thomas]

Now it's official: North Korea has abducted Japanese citizens in the 70s and 80s: four are still alive, six are confirmed dead. Kim Jong-Il apologised to the Japanese people. Incredible news, and perhaps the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations between the two countries.

8 people abducted by North Korea confirmed dead

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20020...fp018004c.html

PM expresses sorrow over N.Korea death of 8 Japanese

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20020...dm029000c.html

N.Korea death list devastates families of abducted Japanese

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20020...dm034001c.html

Families of abductees grief-stricken over report of deaths

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=1&id=230665

Photo Journal

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/photojournal/01.html

N Korea provides info on missing Japanese — 6 dead, 4 alive

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=1&id=230650

Apologies, apologies...

Kim apologizes over abductions

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=9&id=230658

Koizumi apologizes to North Korea for colonial rule

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=9&id=230664

And even the spy ship mystery has been unveiled...

Kim admits military conducted spy ship activities

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=9&id=230666

Wow...

[moyashi]

wooo heavy isn't it?

I'm glad the "not knowing" has finally ended for all the families. Of course, if all ended well, we would all be cheering but let's not forget thought that still even with the bad news, good news exists.

Read through all the links. I guess this topic is history making enough or possible history in the making to spend the time to read even what the Trolls had to say.

Now, the question remains. Why the quick release of information. My wife too complained that all Koizumi did was go over for some lunch, sign some papers and got the plane to get home in time for dinner.

Hmmm ... do miracles exist?

[thomas]

Someone at JT said the results aren't bad for a "day's work". Well, the meeting has probably been prepared for many weeks and months, we will never know what's taking place behind the stage (and which secret agreements have been reached). It is certainly about more than just food supplies and economic help.

Koizumi's soft stance is the right way to go. Appease them, integrate them into the international community, get them involved. With "them" I'm referring to so-called "rogue nations".

Working dinner... well, just a beginning. Did you see Koizumi's stiff face? European news agencies all reported about a "historic meeting of enemies".

Btw, here are the headlines from N. Koreas only official web site, Korea News Service (KNS) in Tokyo (yep, Tokyo):

Japanese prime minister arrives here

=> http://www.kcna.co.jp/contents/17.htm#1

Statement by the DPRK Red Cross Society

"The DPRK Red Cross Society notified the Japanese side of the fact that it has confirmed the whereabouts of missing Japanese on the list requested by the Japan Red Cross to ascertain.

We take this serious.

It is regretful that these issues surfaced in the past as a product of the abnormal relationship between the DPRK and Japan.

We will prevent such things from happening in the future.

We are ready to provide facilities to those survivors identified to enable them to meet with their families and relatives and those concerned of the Japanese government, if necessary, and take necessary steps to let them return home or visit their hometowns if they wish."

DPRK = Democratic Republic of Korea = N. Korea

[thomas]

News updates:

Nation shocked at deaths of six abducted Japanese in N Korea

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=1&id=230713

Tokyo seeks early return of 4 abductees

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=1&id=230796

Abduction revelation certain to stall normalization talks

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20020...fp020000c.html

That's really nonsense! After the initial shock normalization will be pushed forward.

Ditto:

Angry callers target North Koreans over abductions

=> http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20020...fp011000c.html

On a side note:

Chuo Univ ready to readmit Japanese confirmed in N Korea

=> http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content...at=1&id=230810

[moyashi]

Many folks I talked to mentioned Koizumi's stoik look.

They then made fun of previous Prime Ministers and said that Mori probably would've giggled his way through the whole meeting.

hmm ... those phone calls really suck. What happened to all those who suffered during the war? I really hope that the Japanese Media doesn't screw this up!