N Korea hints at existence of Japan abductees other than 17 on list

Thursday 13th November, 10:45 AM JST

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nigelboy at 10:44 AM JST - 13th November

But one thing was real easy to criticize & that was Jpns dumb idea of tying the abduction issue to the 6way talks, that was/is just not smart

I think it's brilliant for the simple reason that Japan used this issue to avoid giving fuel aid to this corrupt regime.

On the flip side, you have SK and U.S. who already gave these thugs

1) Free fuel 2) Removal from the Terror sponsored states 3) Ability to re-nuclearize at their own discretion. ( Since it appears that NK doesn't have to disclose their association with Syria. In addition, it appears that the date of further inspection and the location of the inspection would be at the discretion of NK.) 4) Did I mention Free fuel?
GW at 11:56 AM JST - 13th November

nigelboy

Did I mention that the abductee issue has zip to do with the 6way talks, oh yes I did, Jpns not giving fuel is fine, but if it derails the 6way talks(vastly more important than the abductees, sorry just the truth) then Jpn will be in the dog house, thankflly the ohter countries left Jpn to play in their own private sandbox out of the way.

As for NK nuc issue we will have to see how it continues to play out, its certainly not necessarily a done deal or going to plan but none of that has anything to do with Jpn or what it did/hasnt done
smithinjapan at 12:13 PM JST - 13th November

techall: "Always something-for-nothing trades with these people. They even duped Jimmy "gimme a peace prize" Carter and Maddie Albright into giving them food and fuel oil in exchange for halting their nuclear plans."

While I agree for the most part NK does indeed lie and go back on its word, there have been small steps towards progress (before the progress turned back on its head), and things given that cannot be undone. For example, some nuclear plans (and I don't mean aims, I mean plans), shutting off a reactor (can be started up again), giving back abductees (I have my doubts they want to return to NK), etc.

I'm not saying that we should look at NK in a positive light for these things. I'm simply saying it hasn't always been 'for nothing'.
smithinjapan at 12:16 PM JST - 13th November

nigelboy: "I think it's brilliant for the simple reason that Japan used this issue to avoid giving fuel aid to this corrupt regime."

Small gain considering it's had Japan booted from such talks in the past (when it became four/five-nation talks between 'those involved in the Korean War'), and has threatened to completely derail talks of denuclearization of NK, with the latter even threatening to start up their main nuclear reactor and program again. In fact, not smart at all, if you look at it; Japan's simply trying to get more international pressure for a bilateral issue. UNfortunately, it never works.
smithinjapan at 12:19 PM JST - 13th November

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how the bilateral issue plays out at the next meeting, but I doubt any progress will be made. Japan has decided to take a harder line against NK, and NK usually doesn't respond kindly to such things. They'll dangle the carrot, and Japan will demand they give them the whole carrot patch, NK will simply take the carrot away and threaten to destroy the fields. Japan, of course, will have to go back for the carrot, but even THAT won't be offered as leverage in the next meeting.

A hardline winds nothing. Look where it's gotten SKorea of late.
Gravitybrakes at 12:22 PM JST - 13th November

Honestly, why even mess with NK? Why should the international community gave a flying hoot about them? If anything we should cut all aid and let their backwards policies bring them down. After that the UN can take control and japan can start looking for its citizens afterwards.
nigelboy at 12:34 PM JST - 13th November
GW,

The only party "derailing" the six party talks is NK and NK alone and the nation that's being played like a fool is that idiot in Hill.

Did I mention that the abductee issue has zip to do with the 6way talks, oh yes I did

Normalization between NK and Japan is part of the Six Way Talks

"The Parties agreed on the establishment of the following Working Groups (WG) in order to carry out the initial actions and for the purpose of full implementation of the Joint Statement:
1. Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula
2. Normalization of DPRK-US relations
3. Normalization of DPRK-Japan relations
4. Economy and Energy Cooperation
5. Northeast Asia Peace and Security Mechanism
The WGs will discuss and formulate specific plans for the implementation of the Joint Statement in their respective areas. The WGs shall report to the Six-Party Heads of Delegation Meeting on the progress of their work. In principle, progress in one WG shall not affect progress in other WGs. Plans made by the five WGs will be implemented as a whole in a coordinated manner"

As for NK nuc issue we will have to see how it continues to play out

Jeez, man. Wake up. How many "reneged" promises by NK does it take it figure out that we're back to the same position we were several years ago except for the fact that the three "gains" achieved by NK which I indicated by above?
apecNetworks at 01:23 PM JST - 13th November

As posted months before, the 6-way talks must addresse the denuclearized aspect of the talks first, bilateral issues second - though complete resolution would have to involve the abductions as a secondary phase. It is commendable that the PRC has played an excellent role as host up to this point, and all players have worked tirelessly to resolve a regional problem.
smithinjapan at 06:39 PM JST - 13th November

nigelboy: If it's the case, as you say, in terms of order of things to discuss, why is it Japan always steps up in the FIRST talks and brings up the abduction issue, which according to the order you posted should be third. Furthermore, it's the same issue they stood up and announced was of the utmost importance at a UN meeting!

It's a bilateral issue, period. The reason it's third on the list at all is so the other countries can leave after the purpose of the meeting has been discussed.
GW at 08:51 PM JST - 13th November

nigelboy

I am well awake thank you! Hey anybody here knows NK is completely eratic in its actions, common knowledge. The Jpn-NK normalization is to take place AFTER the nuc issue is done(if it ever is) & as others have pointed out its a bilateral thingy.

Its up to Jpn how much & where/when the bring up the abduction issue but if they screw bigger things up it will be on them. Note I am not saying Jpn shud forget the issue, it wud be nice to have it done & settled but it shudnt get in the way of more important things
usaexpat at 01:09 AM JST - 14th November

Well progress at last, maybe. For all of you who downplayed the handful of Japanese kidnapped it appears there were more. Let's see how this plays out but Japan has been right to keep the presure on North Korea.
OssanAmerica at 01:39 AM JST - 14th November

I don't think it's the sanctions so much as a general shift in world >trends. Part of that could be the more positive atmosphere resulted from >Obama's win in the US, as well as Kim Jong Il's reported illness(es).

Japan's position on unilateral sanctions turned out to be correct. The 6 party talks are still proceeding and the NKoreans are indicating a willigness to resolve the abduction issue. Anyone with a shred of common sense could tell tou that Obama's election or Kim's illness would be nowhere near as relevant as the sanctions. Still can't just admit that you were wrong huh?
Nessie at 01:52 AM JST - 14th November

Japan and N. Korea can't get enough of this dance. Doens't matter that neither will ever put out. They can tell their friends, and that's what counts.
nigelboy at 09:30 AM JST - 14th November

If it's the case, as you say, in terms of order of things to discuss

Never stated that nor does it state that the WG are listed "in order of importance". Stop making things up.
Molenir at 12:57 PM JST - 19th November

This is very easy to solve. I mean seriously. Japan pledges to reopen trade if NK returns its people. If the people in question are dead, then their bodies must be exhumed and returned home. And then DNA testing must be done to determine that these are indeed the abductees. The families of those abducted should likewise be allowed to come to Japan. There shouldn't even be any debate about this.