Megumi Yokota: Symbol of N Korean abduction issue

Seems to me that those who scream "Let it go!" about the war time sex slaves never say that with regard to the case of North Korea's abductions.

Seems odd. North Korea admitted what it did and I never heard of a retraction, a NK politician denying it, or an attempt to revise the admission.

IF what NK says is true provide evidence. If no evidence it didn't happen. We know the integrity of NK.

Well, all I can say is I hope she is alive, and if she is not, that North Korea provide an honest account of her life for the sake of her parents.

The daughter is fully brainwashed by regime, i not think that she understand who are her grandparents and I think that she has been separated by mother that is became crazy and depressed

"Media reports have even suggested the regime will not let her go because Yokota became close to the ruling family, and even tended to leader Kim Jong-Un as a child."

Well, that's one of the biggest problems -- the media. Where do they get this stuff? Why keep putting up the hopes of those here with rumors only to dash their spirits later? I hope in any case that if she can't be found alive that her family and people here can find out some FACTS about what happened to her and others. Sadly, the same media, if even the slightest amount of info comes out that confirms more people were abducted by NK, will scuttle the talks by overplaying everything and getting the wingers out in full force.

Mr. G.: "Seems to me that those who scream "Let it go!" about the war time sex slaves never say that with regard to the case of North Korea's abductions."

Agreed.

My major concern that if North Korea is truly the land of happiness and sunshine how come they couldn't get anyone to come to their country willingly? From all the documentaries and the news I read and it's unfortunate to say but what if Megumi was one of those that was left in the hands of the rest of the people starving and lonely somewhere in a small house in a field with only little to eat. Do these people like in rural areas outside of city really get noticed as much as the people within the city's wall of Pyongyang? Could North Korean in fact account for all their people? How many people do they know that died of simple illness or even worst hunger?

All I hope that this wasn't the fate of her. Being brought to such a country with ideals, culture and language so dissimiliar with hers. How can you expect anyone to cooperate? It's not always by hateful or resentfulness that anyone seems like they are resisting any kind of change like this. It's could be just pure fear.

Language barriers can be overcome by some simple gestures. Ideals and cultures can be spread just as long as they make sense but intimidation and coerciveness will only be met with confusion and distrust.

If North Korea had any kind of heart or any kind of sympathy they would go to through the longest lengths to figure out what happened to Megumi or at least bring her home where she belongs.

No matter how many times the J-government and it's talking parrot, the domestic media say something, it won't make it true. Megumi's remains were sent to Japan, where the government proceeded to hand over the sample to an low-tier researcher in a small lab with little experience handling such types of DNA. The samples were promptly contaminated, either by sheer stupidity or for other nefarious reasons, making any confirmation impossible. Somehow "inconclusive results" (by gross incompetence) has now morphed into the thoroughly dishonest, "Tokyo said DNA tests conducted in Japan proved the claim to be untrue."

And that's fine, as far as "Tokyo" is concerned, as it keeps the Megumi situation alive in people's minds (at the expense of the Yokota family) and as a convenient stick to beat North Korea with.

before i had kids of my own i would hate seeing the yokotas doing there thing on tv news - waste of taxes etc.

nowadays i understand their plight a little more and wish them nothing but goodwill

This story is heartbreaking.

My prayers are with Megumi, the other abductees, and their loved ones.

Um... she is very much alive. I remember volunteering on the case 14 years ago. They did DNA test on the bodies NK sent over. None of them matched up. I hope that's public information! LOL!

This story is indeed heartbreaking.

In my opinion, the whole world must never forget Megumi-san and the other victims of this horrible crime of state-sponsored kidnapping. The ordinary people of North Korea are also victims of their ... is "evil" the right word? ... leadership.

If North Korea had any kind of heart or any kind of sympathy they would go to through the longest lengths to figure out what happened to Megumi or at least bring her home where she belongs.

North Korea's government knows exactly what has happened with Ms. Yokota.

Let us consider one possible scenario: Perhaps Megumi-san, in coming to accept her fate, considered that it would be easier on her family to believe she is dead. Those who have experienced the kidnapping and disappearance of a loved one can attest that not knowing makes each passing day very hard to bear. This may have been suggested to her as a way to make things easier on her family, and, in North Korea, such "suggestions" are easily complied with.

Nevertheless, the world and especially the nations of South Korea, China and Japan must prepare for the transition of North Korea out of their long nightmare.

@SumoBob

"The samples were promptly contaminated, either by sheer stupidity or for other nefarious reasons"

Please provide a source for your claim. If you can't, then it's just your imagination.

The Kim Family Regime needs to go.