Perhaps Bush' Axis of Evil Speach did some good!

Just thought it was news worthy here, and a bit bizzarre.

North Korea apologises to Japan for bizarre tale of kidnap and intrigue

Eight out of 12 people snatched in the 70s and 80s are dead

Jonathan Watts in Tokyo
Wednesday September 18, 2002
The Guardian

It will rank as a stunning confession to one of the most bizarre crimes ever committed by a state. Yesterday, in an extraordinary admission, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-il said his country's special forces abducted at least a dozen Japanese nationals during the 1970s and 80s in a fit of patriotic overzealousness.
Incredibly, the victims of these snatch and grab operations were of no military, scientific or political value. Instead, they included a beautician, a schoolgirl and couples on romantic seaside dates who were suddenly whisked off to the most secretive country on earth.

For years, sensational stories of courting couples being carried off from beaches in the night by North Korean frogmen have filled the Japanese media. At first, few gave much credence to the tales, which seemed to be among the most unlikely of cold war fantasies.

But the rumours persisted and reports of failed abductions and testimonies of captured North Korean spies proved convincing enough for the Japanese government to draw up a list of 11 of its nationals who it suspected were abducted by its reclusive north-east Asian neighbour.

Yesterday, the worst fears were confirmed as Mr Kim ended a decade of denial in an attempt to win economic aid from Japan and remove his country from US president George Bush's "axis of evil".

In a historic first summit with Japan's prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, the North Korean leader admitted that over-enthusiastic military units had carried out the abductions. He said eight of the missing were now dead, while four were living in Pyongyang and would now be free to return to their homeland. The whereabouts of one man was unknown.

"The special forces were carried away by a reckless quest for glory. It was regretful and I want to frankly apologise. I have taken steps to ensure that it will never happen again," said Mr Kim.

The confession is a step towards clearing up some of the region's most emotive and politically charged mysteries, but it raises as many questions as it answers about the fate of the missing people.

Megumi Yokota, the first of those on the list provided by the North Korean authorities, was 13 when she failed to return from a badminton class in 1977. She was last seen walking on her usual route home along a coastal road in Niigata, northern Japan. For 20 years, her parents thought she was just one of the thousands of people who go missing each year, but then reports started to emerge that a Japanese woman of her age and appearance had been seen in Pyongyang.

One captured agent had told them that Megumi had been carried off by boat and that she had struggled so hard in the hold of the vessel that she arrived in North Korea covered in blood from trying to scratch at the hull.

Ahead of yesterday's meeting between the two leaders, her parents had been hopeful for news that she was still alive. Instead, they were told that she had married, left a daughter and died.

"I had high hopes for this summit, but the outcome fills me with grief," said a sobbing Shigeru Yokota. "All this time, North Korea denied abducting her, but they lied. And now I can't believe that she is dead."

He was joined in his anger by other bereaved families who demanded to know who was responsible for the abductions, why they had been carried out and when and how the eight victims died.

Mr Kim claimed the victims were seized so that they could serve as language instructors for North Korean agents and providing identities for spies who wanted to enter South Korea, but this does not explain why they chose a 13-year-old girl.

Considering the high number of deaths - eight out of 12 is a statistically unusual figure even in impoverished and starving North Korea - there are also suspicions that the state may have murdered the victims after stories of the abductions started to become an international embarrassment in the 1990s.

"There is a strong possibility that they were killed to try to cover up what happened," said Teruaki Masumoto, whose sister Rumiko, an office clerk, was abducted from a beach while on a date with her boyfriend in Kagoshima, southern Japan, in 1978.

Mr Kim's confession is likely to tell only part of the story, as he was reportedly head of the special forces in at least part of the period concerned.

But Mr Koizumi said he was keen to look forward. "When I think of the grief that the families must feel, the pain is unbearable," said the Japanese prime minister, but added that he was impressed by the frankness of Mr Kim's apology.

The abduction issue has been the biggest obstacle to the normalisation of relations between the two north-eastern Asian neighbours and a breakthrough had been expected at yesterday's summit.

The grimmer-than-expected outcome overshadowed progress in other areas, including Mr Kim's promise to indefinitely extend a moratorium on missile test launches, to respect international agreements on nuclear weapons inspections and to halt operations by spy ships in Japanese waters. He also said that four Japanese hijackers who have been holed up in North Korea should return to their homeland, where they face prison terms of more than 10 years.

In return, Mr Koizumi expressed remorse for Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the peninsula. Repeating a formulaic apology by previous Japanese prime ministers in Seoul and Bejing, the communique by the two leaders notes: "The Japanese side regards, in a spirit of humility, the facts of history that Japan caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of Korea through its colonial rule in the past, and expressed deep remorse and heartfelt apology."

In place of compensation, Japan also agreed to extend economic aid, which is expected to be between $5bn (£3.2bn) and $10bn.

But the political risks that Mr Koizumi faces in pursuing such an accomodating strategy were apparent in Tokyo yesterday, where the news of the abductions and deaths generated a wave of mourning, fury and suspicion.

Katsue Hirasawa, who heads a group of lawmakers involved in the abduction issue, said it was now out of the question to establish friendly relations with North Korea. "This is unforgiveable," he said. "Japan has completely failed in its duty to protect its citizens. The perpetrators must be punished. Simply saying sorry is not enough

[Attalus]

Yeah, I saw that on Drudge. Incredible, how some of the zealous commies acted. I have yet to come to terms with the killings in Laos and the Chinese Red Guard actions. Funny, how the Left react whenever anyone calls a spade a spade and calls something that is evil by its name.

Originally posted by Attalus: Yeah, I saw that on Drudge. Incredible, how some of the zealous commies acted. I have yet to come to terms with the killings in Laos and the Chinese Red Guard actions. Funny, how the Left react whenever anyone calls a spade a spade and calls something that is evil by its name.

As my friends in the north say...Ayup!

[Sazerac]

A similar thing happened, MagiK, after Reagan labeled Russia an "Evil Empire" during his 1984 election campaign. According to a personal friend of mine, a Russian professor of Law and Economics at Stalingrad University (now University of St. Petersburg), Dr. Andray Shaknovsky, it was that particular act, coupled with the rising economic turmoil within the Soviet states, that precipitated Mikhail Gorbachev's "Perestroika" or sweeping reforms within the former USSR that eventually led to the disbanding of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Iron Curtain. According to Dr. Shaknovsky, Ronald Reagan is held in high esteem by Russians even today for having helped in the reforms.

So what one's neighbors say CAN influence one's political regime and actions.

Cheers,
-Sazerac

P.S. I recognize "Ayup!" as well as "Ayuh"...definitely New Englandisms.

[ 09-18-2002, 02:30 PM: Message edited by: Sazerac ]

Originally posted by Sazerac: A similar thing happened, MagiK, after Reagan labeled Russia an "Evil Empire" during his 1984 election campaign. According to a personal friend of mine, a Russian professor of Law and Economics at Stalingrad University (now University of St. Petersburg), Dr. Andray Shaknovsky, it was that particular act, coupled with the rising economic turmoil within the Soviet states, that precipitated Mikhail Gorbachev's "Perestroika" or sweeping reforms within the former USSR that eventually led to the disbanding of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Iron Curtain. According to Dr. Shaknovsky, Ronald Reagan is held in high esteem by Russians even today for having helped in the reforms. So what one's neighbors say CAN influence one's political regime and actions. Cheers, -Sazerac P.S. I recognize "Ayup!" as well as "Ayuh"...definitely New Englandisms.

Ayuh, The collapse of the USSR was precipitated by that speach and the launch of several apparently real (but not really real) defensive initiatives. In an effort to counter our supposed Star Wars program and a few others, they bankrupted their economy. Some people say it was accident and that Reagan was a fool, but I honor him as our greatest modern day president, along with Kennedy

[Timber Loftis]

Reagan and Kennedy, Magik? That's an odd duo for sure.

Perestroika (spelling might be wrong) is an amazing document, if you ever get the chance to check it out. In Russia, there was a string of leaders from the late 19th century to the late 20th century that simply rewrote history when they entered office. Those little Russian container-dolls are often used as a metaphor of this historical erasing new governments would do.

Perestroika was a great but simple leap forward - it made governmental documents public. We take this for granted in many countries, but it's an important issue. Open access to information is essential to a good government. I quote one of my favorite profs when I say that any system of government is only as good as its ability to oust scoundrels.

As for the North Korea revelation - it's shocking. Not that I don't presume this kind of activity happens all the time. Exactly how many failed assassination attempts has the CIA had at Castro? - many. But, to have such activity laid bare so frankly forces us to confront it.

[T/-/alali]

Helped indeed!!!

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Reagan and Kennedy, Magik? That's an odd duo for sure. Not really, Kennedy got us to the Moon mans crowning achievement in my science book, one that cascaded into the technological wonderland we live in today. AND Ronald Reagan and his administration engineered the downfall of the greatest threat we ever faced. They also had similar economic beliefs, ie TAXes are BAD! And that accross the board tax cuts will benefit everyone. Perestroika (spelling might be wrong) is an amazing document, if you ever get the chance to check it out. In Russia, there was a string of leaders from the late 19th century to the late 20th century that simply rewrote history when they entered office. Those little Russian container-dolls are often used as a metaphor of this historical erasing new governments would do. Perestroika was a great but simple leap forward - it made governmental documents public. We take this for granted in many countries, but it's an important issue. Open access to information is essential to a good government. I quote one of my favorite profs when I say that any system of government is only as good as its ability to oust scoundrels. As for the North Korea revelation - it's shocking. Not that I don't presume this kind of activity happens all the time. Exactly how many failed assassination attempts has the CIA had at Castro? - many. 5 by my count, before Kennedy called them off. not one of which harmed any surrounding civilians or 13 year old little girls. And the UK and the USA never mounted a campaign to just abduct innocent civilians and "make them disappear" at least not that was ever revealed. (there are stories of inhumane treatment of mental patients and so called "retarded people" but that is a differnt story and was not conducted with the knowledge of the leaders of the government) Even the Soviets restricted their campaigns to targeting people in some way related to defense, government, or military works. As far as I know this is by far, way beyond what was done in the west or east for the cold war. I guess no government is ever completely innocent but I have to give Korea credit for at least admitting it, and attempting to become a respected nation among nations. But, to have such activity laid bare so frankly forces us to confront it.

I will note here, that I did not claim Kennedy was virtuous or that Reagan was infallible. But that each were responsible for things of supreme imprortance. he cold war brought the world as close to destruction as I hope it ever comes and the ending of that cold war is one of the great accomplishments of the 20th century..something that affects every single one of the worlds 6 billion people.

I praise the Moon landings as an initiative set by Kennedy. It was the space exploration and mislabeled "Space Race" that pushed us into the future touching every single aspect of human exiostance with spin off technology.

These are opinions....MINE and not absolute facts so feel free to dispute them but Im not going to argue them.

[Timber Loftis]

I just noted that the duo was interesting. Youngest/Oldest Presidents, Democrat/Republican. That's all.

I will admit that I don't think Reagan engineered the economic breakdown of the USSR so much as it just happened. No doubt there is a definite causal connection between the mounting costs of the cold war and the USSR's loss of that "war," but the intent to cause that result is tenuous.

As for taxes - some have hypothesized that Reagan's biggest economic mistake was cutting corporate taxes. Across-the-board can have many meanings, you see. Now, you may counter that corps. deserve tax breaks too. Theoretically, that's true. To the extent an "imagined" person (a corporation) has rights. But, the problem is much more complex than the theory when you go cutting corporate taxes wholesale. It's too big to get into, though.

As for none of the USA's attempts to get Castro ever harming a 13-yr-old girl, I would point out that you don't know that. Moreover, we are a nation that fights its fights with "combined arms" these days - i.e. BOMBS. There is absolutely no doubt that innocent civilians get killed - plus, you have the "friendly fire" concern that always is involved in combined arms (since their inception in Vietnam). Don't get me wrong - I *want* our covert ops guys to be the nastiest MF's in the world, as fear is the next best thing to love in international relations, and I think attempting to execute Castro was not such a bad idea at the time. I'm just saying that this North Korea thing is not likely a unique revelation of what happens between nations and nationals.

As for your opinions being yours and only yours and yours alone:
I submit to you that I respect and do not attack your opinions, and that if I was percieved as doing so I apologize. Discourse is meaningful, less it is useless. I don't read and reply to posts just to extol my view. Rather, I'm constantly attempting to learn.