Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, the US, and the EU co-hosted the Online Symposium in the UN on the Abductions Issue.
On June 29, 2023, Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, the US, and the European Union co-hosted the online symposium in the UN on the abductions issue, as a side event of the UN, with participation of the members of Permanent Missions to the UN in New York.To watch a video about the symposium, please click here.
1 Opening Remarks ISHIKANE Kimihiro Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN
2 Keynote Remarks MATSUNO Hirokazu Chief Cabinet Secretary and Minister in Charge of the Abduction Issue of Japan
3 Remarks by the representatives of co-hosts
(1) Linda Thomas-Greenfield Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN
(2) Mitch Fifield Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Australia to the UN
(3) Joonkook Hwang Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN
(4) Olof Skoog Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of Delegation of the European Union to the UN
4 Remarks by a member of the House of Representatives of Japan FURUYA Keiji Chairman of the Committee of Congressional Members to Act for the Early Rescue of Japanese Victims Abducted by North Korea
5 Appeal by the Families of Victims
(1) YOKOTA Takuya Representative of the Association of Families of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea
(2) IIZUKA Koichiro Secretary-General of the Association of Families of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea
(3) KITAKOSHI Yuko Member of the Family Association of the Missing Persons Probably Related to the DPRK
(4) Banjong Panchoi Nephew of Anocha Panchoi
6 Panel Discussion
[moderator]
NISHINO Junya Professor, Keio University
[panelist]
Michael Kirby AC CMG Former-President of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK, the UN
JungHoon Lee Former-Ambassador for North Korean Human Rights, the Government of the Republic of Korea
Colin James Crooks LVO Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Korea / Former Ambassador of the UK to North Korea
7 Closing Remarks ISHIKANE Kimihiro Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN
Following opening remarks by H.E. Mr. ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the UN, H.E. Mr. MATSUNO Hirokazu, Chief Cabinet Secretary and Minister in Charge of the Abduction issue of Japan, delivered
After the keynote remarks, remarks by the representatives of co-host, remarks by a member of the House of Representatives of Japan by Mr. FURUYA Keiji, Chairman of the Committee of Congressional Members to Act for the Early Rescue of Japanese Victims Abducted by North Korea, and appeal by the families of victims followed. At the panel discussion, panelists discussed the current situation in North Korea, the ways to resolve the abductions issue, and so on.
This symposium was live-streamed on UN Web TV (in English) and the official YouTube Channel of the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue, the Government of Japan (in Japanese) and was broadcasted to North Korea on radio.
