Japan's missing children: The lingering trauma of North Korean abductions

FRANCE 24 English -- Oct 08

In the 1970s and 1980s, North Korea organised a kidnapping campaign in "enemy" countries. As one of its closest neighbours, Japan became a prime target.

The programme, decided at the highest level of the Communist state, was likely intended to train North Korean spies in foreign languages and customs. It was a long wait until 2002, when the dictatorship in Pyongyang officially recognised some of the kidnappings.