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Japanese abductee's son sent back to N. Korea

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows Kyoko Matsumoto, abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 29. Her son was among the group of nine defectors recently sent from Laos back to the reclusive country, a South Korean daily reported May 30, 2013. The Japanese government officially designated Matsumoto as an abductee of the North Korean authority, but Pyongyang has denied she ever entered North Korea.

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

FUKUOKA, Japan - A bus carrying nine North Korean defectors is parked beside a Korean Air jet at Fukuoka airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at around 9:40 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011, ahead of their departure for South Korea in accordance with their wishes to seek asylum there. Tokyo and Seoul arranged the transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011.

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nine North Korean defectors are transferred from a bus to a Korean Air jet at Fukuoka airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 9:49 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011, to depart for South Korea in accordance with their desire to seek asylum there. Tokyo and Seoul arranged the transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011.

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9 N. Korean defectors arrive in S. Korea

SEOUL, South Korea - Nine North Korean defectors arrive at Incheon international airport in South Korea from Fukuoka airport in Japan on the afternoon of Oct. 4, 2011. The transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011 was arranged between Tokyo and Seoul in accordance with their wishes to seek asylum in South Korea.

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nine North Korean defectors aboard a Japan Coast Guard airplane (front) arrive at Fukuoka airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 9:07 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011, to head for South Korea in accordance with their wishes aboard a Korean Air plane (back). Tokyo and Seoul arranged the transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011.

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

FUKUOKA, Japan - A Korean Air jet carrying nine North Korean defectors takes off from Fukuoka airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 10:45 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011. The transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011 was arranged between Tokyo and Seoul in accordance with their wishes to seek asylum in South Korea.

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

OMURA, Japan - A bus carrying nine North Korean defectors leaves a Justice Ministry facility in the city of Omura, Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at around 8 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011. The defectors, who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011, departed for South Korea in accordance with their wishes from Fukuoka airport the same day.

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N. Korean defectors in Japan

OMURA, Japan - A bus carrying North Korean defectors enters an immigration facility in Omura, Nagasaki Prefecture, on Sept. 14, 2011. The Japanese government plans to transfer the defectors, a group of nine people including three children who were found adrift aboard a wooden boat off the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, to South Korea in accordance with their desire.

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

KOMATSU, Japan - A plane of the Japan Coast Guard (front) carrying nine defectors from North Korea approaches the runway prior to take off from Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 14, 2011 to take them to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa.

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

KOMATSU, Japan - Photo taken on Sept. 14, 2011 shows a helicopter, which is believed to be carrying nine defectors from North Korea, landing at Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture. The defectors will then board a plane of the Japan Coast Guard (back) to be transported to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa.

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

KOMATSU, Japan - A person, believed to be one of nine defectors from North Korea, is seen on a helicopter which is about to land at Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 14, 2011. The defectors will then board a plane of the Japan Coast Guard to be transported to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa.

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a helicopter, which is believed to be carrying nine defectors from North Korea, taking off from the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Echigo off the coast of Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 14, 2011. The nine will be transported to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture by coast guard plane from Komatsu airport. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa.

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

KOMATSU, Japan - A helicopter, which is believed to be carrying nine defectors from North Korea, is about to land at Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 14, 2011. The defectors will then board an airplane of the Japan Coast Guard to be transported to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa.

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows nine probable defectors from North Korea being escorted by officers after getting off a helicopter aboard the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Echigo in the Sea of Japan off Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine -- six adults and three children -- and took them to Kanazawa port. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea.

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Boat carrying apparent N. Korean defectors

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a wooden boat (front) being towed by the Japan Coast Guard in the Sea of Japan to Kanazawa port, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found the boat carrying nine apparent defectors from North Korea -- six adults and three children -- earlier in the day in waters off Wajima in the prefecture. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and that they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea.

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a helicopter taking off from the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Hida, in the Sea of Japan off Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The helicopter was carrying nine probable defectors from North Korea-- six adults and three children -- found earlier in the day on a wooden boat. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea.

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows nine probable defectors from North Korea being escorted by officers after getting off a helicopter aboard the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Echigo in the Sea of Japan off Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine -- six adults and three children -- and took them to Kanazawa port. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea.

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a wooden boat bearing Korean characters on its side in the Sea of Japan off Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found the boat carrying nine probable defectors from North Korea -- six adults and three children -- earlier in the day. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea.

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Boat carrying apparent N. Korean defectors

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a wooden boat being towed by the Japan Coast Guard in the Sea of Japan to Kanazawa port, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found the boat carrying nine apparent defectors from North Korea -- six adults and three children -- earlier in the day in waters off Wajima in the prefecture. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea.

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows nine probable defectors from North Korea being escorted by officers as they get off a helicopter aboard the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Echigo in the Sea of Japan off Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine -- six adults and three children -- and took them to Kanazawa port. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea.

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N. Korea defectors visit Japan to publicize human rights issues

NARITA, Japan - About 20 defectors from North Korea now living in South Korea arrive at Narita airport Sept. 5 to publicize human rights problems related to political prisons in the North. They are scheduled to hold symposiums in nine cities, including Tokyo and Osaka, with Japanese nongovernmental organizations.

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(2)New coalition party headed by Kumagai launched

TOKYO, Japan - Members of a new party in the ruling coalition headed by Hiroshi Kumagai, former vice president of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), pose for photographs at a hotel in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Dec. 25 after its inaugural meeting there. The new party was formed by Kumagai, four other defectors from the DPJ and nine lawmakers from the former New Conservative Party (NCP). The new party is also called the New Conservative Party in English.

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(1)New coalition party headed by Kumagai launched

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroshi Kumagai (standing), head of a new party in the ruling coalition, delivers a speech at a meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 25 to inaugurate the party. Kumagai, former vice president of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), four other defectors from the DPJ and nine lawmakers from the New Conservative Party formed the new party, also called the New Conservative Party in English.

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(2)New coalition party headed by Kumagai launched

TOKYO, Japan - Members of a new party in the ruling coalition headed by Hiroshi Kumagai, former vice president of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), pose for photographs at a hotel in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Dec. 25 after its inaugural meeting there. The new party was formed by Kumagai, four other defectors from the DPJ and nine lawmakers from the former New Conservative Party (NCP). The new party is also called the New Conservative Party in English. (Kyodo)

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

KOMATSU, Japan - A plane of the Japan Coast Guard (front) carrying nine defectors from North Korea approaches the runway prior to take off from Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 14, 2011 to take them to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa. (Kyodo)

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N. Korean defectors in Japan

OMURA, Japan - A bus carrying North Korean defectors enters an immigration facility in Omura, Nagasaki Prefecture, on Sept. 14, 2011. The Japanese government plans to transfer the defectors, a group of nine people including three children who were found adrift aboard a wooden boat off the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, to South Korea in accordance with their desire. (Kyodo)

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

KOMATSU, Japan - A person, believed to be one of nine defectors from North Korea, is seen on a helicopter which is about to land at Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 14, 2011. The defectors will then board a plane of the Japan Coast Guard to be transported to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa. (Kyodo)

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

KOMATSU, Japan - A helicopter, which is believed to be carrying nine defectors from North Korea, is about to land at Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 14, 2011. The defectors will then board an airplane of the Japan Coast Guard to be transported to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa. (Kyodo)

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a helicopter, which is believed to be carrying nine defectors from North Korea, taking off from the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Echigo off the coast of Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 14, 2011. The nine will be transported to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture by coast guard plane from Komatsu airport. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa. (Kyodo)

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N. Korean defectors transferred to Nagasaki

KOMATSU, Japan - Photo taken on Sept. 14, 2011 shows a helicopter, which is believed to be carrying nine defectors from North Korea, landing at Komatsu airport in Ishikawa Prefecture. The defectors will then board a plane of the Japan Coast Guard (back) to be transported to Omura Immigration Center in Nagasaki Prefecture. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine the previous day in the sea off Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa. (Kyodo)

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows nine probable defectors from North Korea being escorted by officers after getting off a helicopter aboard the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Echigo in the Sea of Japan off Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine -- six adults and three children -- and took them to Kanazawa port. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea. (Kyodo)

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows nine probable defectors from North Korea being escorted by officers after getting off a helicopter aboard the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Echigo in the Sea of Japan off Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine -- six adults and three children -- and took them to Kanazawa port. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea. (Kyodo)

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows nine probable defectors from North Korea being escorted by officers as they get off a helicopter aboard the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Echigo in the Sea of Japan off Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found a wooden boat carrying the nine -- six adults and three children -- and took them to Kanazawa port. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea. (Kyodo)

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

OSAKA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a wooden boat bearing Korean characters on its side in the Sea of Japan off Ishikawa Prefecture on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found the boat carrying nine probable defectors from North Korea -- six adults and three children -- earlier in the day. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea. (Kyodo)

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Probable N. Korea defectors in Japan

TOYAMA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a helicopter taking off from the Japan Coast Guard patrol ship Hida, in the Sea of Japan off Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The helicopter was carrying nine probable defectors from North Korea-- six adults and three children -- found earlier in the day on a wooden boat. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea. (Kyodo)

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Boat carrying apparent N. Korean defectors

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a wooden boat being towed by the Japan Coast Guard in the Sea of Japan to Kanazawa port, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found the boat carrying nine apparent defectors from North Korea -- six adults and three children -- earlier in the day in waters off Wajima in the prefecture. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea. (Kyodo)

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Boat carrying apparent N. Korean defectors

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a wooden boat (front) being towed by the Japan Coast Guard in the Sea of Japan to Kanazawa port, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Sept. 13, 2011. The coast guard found the boat carrying nine apparent defectors from North Korea -- six adults and three children -- earlier in the day in waters off Wajima in the prefecture. A man among them told the coast guard that they are relatives and that they left a North Korean port on Sept. 8 in the hope of going to South Korea. (Kyodo)

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nine North Korean defectors aboard a Japan Coast Guard airplane (front) arrive at Fukuoka airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 9:07 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011, to head for South Korea in accordance with their wishes aboard a Korean Air plane (back). Tokyo and Seoul arranged the transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011. (Kyodo)

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

OMURA, Japan - A bus carrying nine North Korean defectors leaves a Justice Ministry facility in the city of Omura, Nagasaki Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at around 8 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011. The defectors, who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011, departed for South Korea in accordance with their wishes from Fukuoka airport the same day. (Kyodo)

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

FUKUOKA, Japan - A bus carrying nine North Korean defectors is parked beside a Korean Air jet at Fukuoka airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at around 9:40 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011, ahead of their departure for South Korea in accordance with their wishes to seek asylum there. Tokyo and Seoul arranged the transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011. (Kyodo)

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

FUKUOKA, Japan - Nine North Korean defectors are transferred from a bus to a Korean Air jet at Fukuoka airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 9:49 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011, to depart for South Korea in accordance with their desire to seek asylum there. Tokyo and Seoul arranged the transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011. (Kyodo)

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9 N. Korean defectors arrive in S. Korea

SEOUL, South Korea - Nine North Korean defectors arrive at Incheon international airport in South Korea from Fukuoka airport in Japan on the afternoon of Oct. 4, 2011. The transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011 was arranged between Tokyo and Seoul in accordance with their wishes to seek asylum in South Korea. (Kyodo)

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9 N. Korean defectors leave for S. Korea

FUKUOKA, Japan - A Korean Air jet carrying nine North Korean defectors takes off from Fukuoka airport in Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at 10:45 a.m. on Oct. 4, 2011. The transfer of the defectors who were found adrift on a wooden boat off Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2011 was arranged between Tokyo and Seoul in accordance with their wishes to seek asylum in South Korea. (Kyodo)

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N. Korea defectors visit Japan to publicize human rights issues

NARITA, Japan - About 20 defectors from North Korea now living in South Korea arrive at Narita airport Sept. 5 to publicize human rights problems related to political prisons in the North. They are scheduled to hold symposiums in nine cities, including Tokyo and Osaka, with Japanese nongovernmental organizations. (Kyodo)

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(1)New coalition party headed by Kumagai launched

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroshi Kumagai (standing), head of a new party in the ruling coalition, delivers a speech at a meeting in Tokyo on Dec. 25 to inaugurate the party. Kumagai, former vice president of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), four other defectors from the DPJ and nine lawmakers from the New Conservative Party formed the new party, also called the New Conservative Party in English. (Kyodo)