Trump’s remark raises hopes over North Korea abduction issue

September 20, 2017

KAWASAKI, KANAGAWA PREF.- US President Donald Trump's reference to the abduction of a 13-year-old Japanese girl decades ago by North Korea presents an opportunity to resolve the abduction issue between the two Asian countries, her mother said Wednesday.

Sakie Yokota, 81, the mother of the abductee, Megumi, said that she was "surprised" that Trump talked about her daughter in a speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

"We know it (North Korea) kidnapped a sweet 13-year-old Japanese girl from a beach in her own country," Trump said, referring to North Korea's abduction of Megumi in 1977. Many other Japanese citizens were also kidnapped.

"Trump, one of the most closely watched people, made a clear mention (of Megumi). This will be a good chance" to resolve the abduction issue, the mother said in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, where her home is located.

"I guess some people have heard for the first time that North Korea abducted the then minor and has ignored demands for her return," Yokota said. Jiji Press