The Families of Japanese Victims of Abduction by North Korea (hereinafter referred to as the family association) visited the United States and met with Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on the 3rd (local time) to request support for resolving the abduction issue.
According to the Sankei Shimbun on the 4th, at a meeting held at the US State Department in Washington, DC, the family association explained their position that “if all (North Korean) abductees return home immediately and collectively, the Japanese government will not oppose humanitarian aid to North Korea.” .
In particular, according to an official, Deputy Secretary Sherman expressed his support for the family meeting’s policy, saying, “I can understand it well.”
Wearing a blue ribbon wishing for the rescue of abductees, Deputy Secretary Sherman announced that he would work with the Japanese government to hold an official meeting at the UN Security Council dealing with North Korean human rights issues. Regarding the abduction issue, he emphasized, “I will do everything possible to provide support.”
The US State Department also expressed concern over the abduction issue and announced that it would cooperate with allies such as South Korea and Japan.
According to Vedant Patel, deputy spokesperson for the US State Department, at a regular briefing that day, he said “there is nothing specifically to explain” about the family meeting with Deputy Secretary Sherman.
At the same time, he emphasized, “Deputy Secretary Sherman and other State Departments continue to express deep concern about human rights violations such as detention and kidnapping of citizens by North Korea.”
Deputy Spokesperson Patel said, “We will work closely with our allies and partners,” adding, “In the Indo-Pacific region, we will work closely with South Korea and Japan.”
Family members including Takuya Yokota (?田拓也, 54), younger sister of abductee Megumi Yokota (?田めぐみ·58, 13 years old at the time of disappearance) and representative of the family group, have been visiting the US since the 2nd.
The family association expressed for the first time in February of this year that it would not oppose humanitarian aid to North Korea if all of the abductees returned home while their parents were alive. During this visit to the United States, he is explaining these policies to the US side and asking for understanding and support for a swift resolution.
It is the first time in four years that a family association visits the United States due to the impact of Corona 19. I plan to return to Japan on the 7th.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.