TOKYO (Kyodo) — Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea pleaded with the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, to return their loved ones during a national rally in Tokyo on Saturday.
“Resolve the negative legacy left by your predecessors and turn your country into one that can envision a brighter future through courage and bold decision-making,” said Takuya Yokota, a 56-year-old younger brother of Megumi, a symbolic figure among the abductees.
A moment of silence was held at the start of the meeting for Akihiro Arimoto, the father of Keiko Arimoto, who was 23 when she was abducted. He died in February at age 96.
Holding a photo of Keiko, Yokota vowed that “those of us remaining will continue to raise our voices, so his disappointment will not be in vain,” as he called on the Japanese government to realize a Japan-North Korea summit.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who also attended the rally, expressed his intention to seek a resolution through talks with Kim, saying, “We will break through by any means. We will further strengthen our efforts through various channels.”
Since the return of five abductees to Japan in 2002, Tokyo has sought the release of 12 others it has officially recognized as having been taken by North Korea. It also suspects Pyongyang’s involvement in the disappearances of other Japanese citizens.
“As a parent, I have done everything I can, but nothing has happened. I always wonder if this will be resolved while I am still alive, but I want to stay strong and not cry,” said Megumi’s 89-year-old mother, Sakie.
Megumi Yokota was abducted at age 13 by North Korean agents in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast in 1977 while returning home from badminton practice at her junior high school. Pyongyang claims she died by suicide in 1994.
Around 800 people participated in the rally, according to a group of the victims’ families and other organizers.
A resolution adopted at the meeting urged Kim to make a decision. It stated that the group would not oppose humanitarian aid from Japan or the lifting of sanctions on North Korea if all abductees were returned while their parents were still alive.
AloJapan.com