National News Koizumi returns from Pyongyang with abductees' children to mixed reception

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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi enjoyed a boost in ratings May 24 after Pyongyang released five children of Japanese citizens formerly kidnapped by North Korean agents.

The Asahi newspaper showed support for Koizumi's Cabinet rose to 54 percent May 23 from 45 percent in a survey May 14-15. The Mainichi newspaper poll had support increasing from 47 percent to 58 percent in the same period. The Yomiuri newspaper also showed support at 54 percent.

The results were a sharp contrast to the torrent of criticism Koizumi faced from the media and some families of abductees, who argued he gave too much aid to Pyongyang without gaining enough concessions.

In the first meeting between Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in 2002, North Korea admitted kidnapping 13 Japanese in the 1970s and '80s. Kim said eight of them were dead, but he allowed the five surviｖors to return to Japan.

Since then, Japan has pushed for the release of eight family members - seven children and one husband - of the five repatriated abductees, and for more details on the fates of the eight victims who are allegedly dead.

In the second Koizumi-Kim summit May 22, Koizumi won the release of five of the children, while the one husband, American Charles Jenkins, elected to stay in North Korea with his two children over fears he could face prosecution for his alleged desertion of his U.S. Army unit in 1965.

In return, Koizumi promised 250,000 tons of rice aid and $10 million (¥1.1 billion) in medical and other humanitarian supplies.

Criticism has focused on Koizumi's failure to win a full accounting of the missing abductees, and some have accused him of naivete by trusting in Kim's pledges and rewarding him with assistance.

"The government needs to toughen its stance in negotiations with North Korea," the Yomiuri said in an editorial May 24. "Resolving pending issues with North Korea will require intense efforts on the part of Japan." (AP)

小泉首相訪朝、家族が5人帰国

5月22日に北朝鮮を訪問した小泉純一郎首相は、金正日総書記と首脳会談を行ない、拉致被害者家族の5人と帰国した。新聞各社が行なった世論調査では、小泉内閣の支持率はいずれも前回より上昇している。

Shukan ST: June 4, 2004

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