Japan: Collective Commitment Crucial to Resolve North Korean Abduction Issue
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Japan’s Ambassador to the UN, Yamazaki Kazuyuki, has highlighted the importance of international attention and collective commitment in resolving the issue of abductions carried out by North Korea against citizens of Japan, the US, and Thailand.
“Our attention and collective commitment play a vital role in resolving the abduction issue, and their participation highlights the ongoing support from the international community in addressing this critical matter,” said Yamazaki during a UN Online Symposium on the Abduction Issue, monitored from Jakarta on Wednesday (24/6).
He stated that Japan has been actively working towards an immediate resolution of the issue before the international community through close cooperation with partners, including the UN.
According to him, awareness of the issue needs to be continuously strengthened due to the urgent humanitarian crisis resulting from the abductions conducted by North Korea between 1977 and 1983.
The issue of abductions by North Korea is not merely a historical event but an ongoing problem, as victims are still deprived of their freedom and unable to return home, presenting an international challenge that requires an immediate resolution.
“We must continue to strengthen awareness of the urgency of this humanitarian issue, especially when considering the extraordinary suffering experienced by the victims and their families over the years,” he said.
Yamazaki noted that the international community has repeatedly urged North Korea to resolve the abduction issue immediately.
This call is reflected in the annual UN General Assembly resolution on the situation of human rights in North Korea, which was adopted by consensus by UN member states.
“In this regard, I would like to highlight the report released by the OHCHR last autumn regarding the development of the human rights situation in North Korea since 2014,” he said.
The report noted that no progress has been made in improving the human rights situation in North Korea, and there has been no resolution to the abduction issue. The assessment also underscored the urgent need to redouble the collective efforts of the international community.