Talks Between Japan, DPRK on Abductions to Resume in Late March - Reports

Japan and North Korea plan to resume consultations on the abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — Japan and North Korea plan to resume consultations between foreign ministers in late March on the abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s, the Nikkei newspaper reported Saturday.

The talks are expected to resume after almost a half year break, according to Nikkei.

The motives behind the abductions are not really clear. However, according to local media reports, the Japanese were allegedly abducted to teach Japanese language and culture at North Korean spy schools.

In July 2014, North Korea launched a probe over the missing Japanese nationals, victims of the 1970s — 1980s kidnappings as well as children and spouses of repatriated North Koreans. In response to the establishment of investigation committee by North Korea, Japan agreed to ease some unilateral sanctions on North Korea.

Due to the fact North Korea did not provide a report on the abducted Japanese by the late summer or early autumn deadline, the negotiations have stalled. In late October 2014, the talks were held for the first time in 10 years.

Tokyo claims that North Korea has kidnapped at least 17 Japanese citizens in the period of 1977 to 1983. Pyongyang has officially admitted only 13 facts of abductions. Tokyo consistently urges North Korea to release all the hostages as it believes hundreds more may have been abducted.