8 Kidnapped Japanese Persons Died of Suicide-Accident

Returned from visiting the North Korea on October 1, the kidnapping investigation party of Japanese government announced on October 2 that it received a report that 8 kidnapped Japanese persons died in car accidents, gas poisoning, suicide and Cirrhosis of liver from the North Korea.

The investigation party said that 5 survivors expected to meet their family as soon as possible, but they were carefully thinking about going back to Japan as the result of the interview with them.

The investigation party added that it received a death certificate of all deaths by hearing an explanation on the death situation of 8 deaths from the North Korea and it didn’t find out a physical evidence to prove the death because the graveyards of 7 deaths were washed away owing to flood damage. The North Korea kidnapped 8 persons to use for training of espionage operators and brought 5 persons with their consent to North Korea. It explained that 2 kidnappers were penalized with the death penalty and 15 years’ imprisonment respectively in 1998.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said “The North Korea seemed to show its good faith for the first investigation of the government kidnapping investigation party. We will resume a negotiation for the normalization of North Korea-Japan diplomatic relations in October.”

▽ Judgment of Death 〓 According to the explanation of the North Korea, Kidnapped at thirteen old in 1977, Yukoda Megumi committed suicide to depression. Known as ‘Lee Eun-Hae’, Japanese teacher of Gim Hyeon-Hee who was the offender of KAL 858 explosion, Daguchi Yaeko died in car accident. Her husband, Hara Dadaaki died of Cirrhosis of liver. Kidnapped during studying in Europe in 1983 and 1984 respectively, the couple, Arimoto Geiko and Isioka Dooru died of the coal gas poisoning.

Also, Ichikawa Syuichi was drowned in Wonsan beach in 1979, Masumoto Rumiko died of a heart disease and Mastuki Gaoru died in car accident.

▽Present Condition of Survivor 〓 Soga Hitomi who were added in the list of kidnapped persons married the US soldier in 1980 and has two daughters. However, her missing mother was not found. Kidnapped in 1978, Jamura Yasushi and Hamamoto Hukie married in 1979 and have one daughter and two sons. Haseuike Gaoru married Okudo Yukiko and now lives in Pyeongyang. Jimurawa Hasuike is currently a translating staff in the data room of the folk institute, Academy of Social Science.

Families of kidnapped persons repelled “We cannot believe the fact that the graveyards of the deaths were washed away owing to flood damage. We have some doubts whether survivors could speak the return freely.”

Young-Ee Lee yes202@donga.com