Probe result of Megumi’s death reported to minister

The Japanese Abduction Countermeasure Headquarters reportedly told Choi Sung-yong, head of the Family Assembly Abducted to North Korea who was involved in the investigation into the background of the death of Megumi Yokota, the symbol of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese people, “We will report the investigation results to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.”

Prime Minister Abe appeared on a broadcast on Friday and talked about the report that includes testimonies on Megumi’s death and the abandonment of her body, “It has no credibility.”

“We had several discussions for the investigation with Japanese headquarters staff in my office in Seoul until I heard the testimonies of a person from the North Korean hospital who witnessed Megumi’s death and abandonment of her body on Sept. 11 this year,” Choi said. “At that time, a Japanese official said that he would report it to Prime Minister Abe, which gave a boost to the investigation of testimonies.” After hearing the testimonies, the Japanese officials told Choi, “(First,) we reported it to Eriko Yamatani, Japanese minister in charge of abduction issue.”

It is said that there is a public opinion in Japan saying, “Even if the Abe administration does not admit Megumi’s death, it should investigate Megumi’s case given testimonies detailing on her death and the abandonment of her body.”