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1st LD: DPRK suspends probe into Japanese abductees in response to sanctions

Xinhua, February 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is putting an end to investigations into Japanese abductees in the country in response to Japan's expanded sanctions on it following its fourth nuclear test and rocket launch, state media reported Friday.

The special investigation committee probing the whereabouts of Japanese nationals abducted by DPRK agents during 1970s and 1980s "will be dissolved from Feb. 12, 2016," a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency said.

The decision was made apparently in response to Japan's new sanctions on the DPRK adopted Wednesday following its fourth nuclear test and rocket launch.

The new sanctions include banning the re-entry from DPRK of Japan-based foreign nuclear or missile engineers, banning ships from third countries that have visited ports in the DPRK, and banning remittances of over 100,000 yen (about 870 U.S. dollars) to the DPRK in principle, except for humanitarian cases.

These sanctions had been partially lifted under the Stockholm agreement signed between Japan and the DPRK in mid-2014, but Japan has "reneged on its commitments made in the agreement" and "made a frontal challenge to the DPRK," the statement said.

The statement also warned that Japan's hostile acts will entail strong countermeasures from the DPRK and that the Abe administration will "hold full responsibilities" for such consequences. Endi