Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on Tuesday achieved a breakthrough, although a qualified one, in ending decades-long mutual enmity between Japan and North Korea. In fact, the outcome of the talks between the two leaders at the historic summit in Pyongyang was more substantial than what Japanese people had generally expected.
However, one result was so shocking and unbelievable as to offset the welcome achievements at the summit. North Korea revealed that of 11 Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents during the 1970s and '80s, only four remain alive in that country. Pyongyang confirmed the deaths of six others. No official information was obtained about one more person who was alleged to have been taken to North Korea.
For the first time, Mr. Kim formally admitted to a North Korean role in those abduction cases. He formally apologized for such international criminal conduct and said the agents involved had been punished. Mr. Kim promised to prevent a recurrence.