US envoy to the UN vows support for families of Japanese who were abducted and taken to North Korea

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says America will stand with Japan until all the Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago return home to end their painful separation. Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the comments on Thursday as she began her visit to Tokyo by meeting with the families of those kidnapped. Japan says North Korea abducted at least 17 Japanese citizens, possibly many more, to train them as agents during the 1970s and 1980s. Twelve remain missing. Thomas-Greenfield said U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is committed to raising the abduction issue at every opportunity.