North Korean Abductions: 'Dialogue' and Hope In Focus at National Rally

At the national rally in Tokyo on May 11, families of victims of North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens united in their plea for the swift return of their loved ones. They collectively appealed to Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea. Together, they urged him to make a "courageous and decisive action" regarding repatriation.

As Japan-North Korea relations enter a phase of dialogue, will the desperate pleas of these families resonate with the North?

Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi is an abduction victim, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida both spoke at the national rally calling for the immediate repatriation of all abductees. On May 11th in Tokyo. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai)

What If It Was Your Daughter?

Sakie Yokota, 88, is the mother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted at age 13. Her daughter is now 59. As a parent, she posed a poignant question to Kim Jong Un: "If the cute little girl who is always by your side suddenly disappears, and you don't know where she is or what happened to her, how would you feel?"

With Kim Jong Un's daughter, reportedly named Kim Ju Ae, in mind, she appealed for empathy from a parent's perspective. "We have cherished each and every one of our children just as dearly," she expressed. She concluded her speech with a heartfelt plea: "Please, return them!"

Takuya Yokota, Megumi's 55-year-old brother and chief representative of the families' association, took extra time to address Kim Jong Un. He appealed with greater intensity than usual:

"Previous North Korean leaders are the ones who carried out the abductions. But you hold the key to resolving them. And that is the key to paving the way for a brighter future between Japan and North Korea. I urge you not to be misled by those seeking to burden you with the negative legacy of the past."

Yokota stressed the necessity of "courageous and decisive action" for the immediate return of all victims.

He further elaborated on his remarks at the rally, saying, "I view the current state of Japan-North Korea relations as a 'dialogue phase.' And I'm mindful that our words today will reach Pyongyang."

*Representing the families of victims, Takuya Yokota speaks at the national rally calling for the immediate repatriation of all abductees. On May 11th in Tokyo. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai)*

North Korea's Kim Family Stance

In the realm of Japan-North Korea relations, Kim Yo-jong, the Deputy Director of the Party and younger sister of Kim Jong Un, hinted at the possibility of a Japan-North Korea summit in February. However, there has been a shift back to a more hardline stance since early March. Mixed signals have accompanied North Korea's statements declining to engage with Japan.

While North Korea has not rescinded its stance on considering the abduction issue "resolved," analysts suggest it might be leveraging this issue to gain an upper hand in negotiations with Japan. It's highly probable that the North is closely monitoring Japan's actions more attentively than ever before.

Sakie Yokota ended with a special appeal. "The families have just one wish. [To hold our loved ones.] I pray that Mr Kim Jong Un will simply understand and empathize with that."