Good afternoon, im Senior Adviser and chair here and as well as professor at georgetown university. We want to welcome you all here this afternoon for a very special event. Before i begin though, i do need to note we care a great deal about the security of our guests. And so we have a security plan for the building in the event of any emergency, your full cooperation will be appreciated. We have december designated officers for any event. For this it is dr. Green, please follow the instructions of dr. Green and his staff. The issue of north korea for the longest time was really a single issue, the Security Threat and Security Threat as it related to Nuclear Weapons. Then in good part thanks to the u. N. Commission of inquiry and Commission Members for about two years ago a report was issued that created a ground swell of interest of human rights abuses in the dprk. This movement is real. It has traction and it has results. And it will continue to do so into the future. But for each of the countries, the United States japan and south korea, while the human rights issue was important to all three countries, in many ways thern not connected. It was a dispar at issue. The United States had its concerns about human rights abuses and south korea had its own agenda with regard to human rights and japan of course had its own agenda. But i think what were seeing today at the event that we are hosting is really the unity among the three countries, not just as allies, not just in terms of the Security Issues related to dprk but also with regard to the human rights issues. We have with us today, the three ambassadors from the three countries with regard to this issue. And what we think is a very unique opportunity for the sharing of views and perspectives and a way forward on this issue. To start us off this afternoon, i will introduce dr. Michael green, Michael Green is a senior vrpt for asia. Japan chair and soeshlt professor and chair in could be temporary and modern foreign policy. Hell be moderating the event today as well as introducing our three distinguished speakers for the first panel. Ill turn it over to mike. Thank you everyone for coming. This is an important meeting in many respects. As victor noted, International Attention to human rights in north korea has really intensified and spread the sqid once common, that was an obstacle to diplomacy or that human rights were somehow in contrast to Strategic Interests has largely dissipated. Theres broad consensus emerging that progress on the Korean Peninsula will have to involve efforts on human rights as well as Strategic Issues we face on their own tracks and merits but not one at the cost of the other. Its a significant meeting because this is the first time that the ministers and ambassadors responsible for human rights in north korea have appeared together from the United States from the republic of korea and from japan. And agreed to do so under the heading we gave this session, standing together for human rights in north korea. And i hope its the beginning of many more try lateral sessions like this and much closer to u. S. And japan cooperation and coordination on this issue as fellow democracies and humanitarian and human rights focused states and allies. Were going to hear from the thee government speakers first. Well hear from ambassador excuse me from minister kato who ill introduce shortly. Then ill invite ambassador lee and bob king to the podium. After which weve have some discussion up here and open it to questions. Then well invite grace cho, each in their own ways will put a human face on what the human rights tragedy in north korea means for individuals for their families and then open it up again for further discussion. Let me introduce our first speak, ive known decades, i think. He graduated from the university of tokyo and entered the ministry of finance. Then ran for the liberal Democratic Party from oak yam ma. Hes held critical positions and previous position deputy chief cabinet secretary, sort of the equivalent of deputy chief of staff to the white house in the cabinet of Prime Minister abe. And this year he took over his current position as the minister in charge of the abduction issues. He has other issues in his portfolios, womens empowerment and gender and so forth. But hes very focused in particular on the mission hes here in washington to advance. Thats human rights north korea and abductee issue. So to open up, please welcome to the stage minister kato. [ applause ] ambassador lee and king and dr. Green and doctor, distinguished guests and ladies and gentlemen. Im the minister in charge of the abduction issues. Its a great pleasure for me to cohost this event. One of the most renowned think tanks in the United States, let me extend my heart felt appreciation to dr. Green, who kindly accepted my offer. The cabinet minister in charge of the abduction issue, which is at the top policy priority of the abe administration. Its also my honor to have an opportunity to explain how i view the Current Situation surrounding human rights issues in north korea. Including the abduction issue and how the government of japan addressed those significant and commonly shared issues of international concern. Today im particularly eager to engage in food for discussion with my distinguished colleagues and close friends, the United States and the republic of korea and other members of the distinguished audience regarding those common concerns. In japan, we are now enjoying socalled golden week, week long holidays. Thus this is indeed literally a golden opportunity for me to have an in depth discussion with he steamed participants, including our expert dr. Green. In february two years ago, the report of the commission of inquiry coi on human rights in the democratic people, the republic of korea, was released regarding human rights by in north korea. It stated in that report the gravity, scale and nature of these reveal a state that does not have any power in the contemporary world, the abduction of japanese conducted by north korea are well form of such human rights committed by north korea. In the coi report, the issue of the abduction of japanese is described as power with the other similar case of abductions and enforce disappearance from the republic of korea and other countries. And it is categorized into the item of abductions and enforce disappearance from the other countries. The report also concluded that in many instances, the violation of human rights found by commission, constituted crimes against humanity. The japanese government has identified 17 abductees, including five abductees who have returned home and there are numerous cases, 886, to be precise, under investigation and inquires by the Police Authorities. If its the possibility of abduction cannot be ruled out. The abduction of japanese students by north korea is a matter of grave concern. It undermines the nation sobriety of japan and the lives and safety of the japanese people. At the same time, the issue is a gray matter, in terms of human rights and human concern as abductees, precise future, countless dreams and ir replaceable time with families have been taken away. Abductees and their families have been growing old in the 40 years since they are captured by north korea. Some of the Family Members were unable to see the abductees again and pass away in seoul. There is no time to waste, to rescuing abductees with the understanding of the issues as the abe cabinet considered th that the government should take responsibility for absorbing it, one it has given the highest priority, it has been taking steps to resolve it. Under the pressure and action for action, ir respective of whether they are actually identified as abductees, the abduction of japanese by north korea were conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. However, north korea formally admitted to the abduction for the first time during the Prime Minister. In 2002, at the first japan summit meeting. Chairman of the National Defense commission of north korea informed japan the only full abductees were surviving and eight had died. There were no records of entry into north korea for one. At that time, the two leaders the pyongyang declaration, which describes the manner of the relationship between japan and north korea. It states both readsers confirm the shared recognition that establishment of political, economic and relationship between japan and the dprk, through the settlement of the unfortunate pass between them and understanding issues of the concern, will be consistent with the fundamental interest of both sides. And would greatly contribute to the peace and stability of the region. It also states both sides confirm that they would cooperate with each other in order to maintain and strengthen the peace and stability of northeast asia. Both sides confirm that for overall resolution of the Nuclear Issues on the Korean Peninsula, they would comply with all related International Agreement and both sides also confirm the necessity of reserving security problems, including nuclear and missile issues, by promoting dialogue among countries concerned. According to the pyongyang declaration which includes basic ideas for achieving the peace and stability of the northeast asia, when north korea will work on building understanding issues such as the abduction and nuclear and missile issues, during the normalization process, japan will provide Economic Cooperation with north korea. After the normalization of diplomatic relations, there is however, a huge gap between the ideas described in the pyongyang declaration and preparing circumstances in which north korea makes no attempt to take an honest approach to the comprehensive resolution and understanding programs. Based on pyongyang declaration, Prime Minister abe has repeatedly emphasized that without the resolution of the abduction issues, there can be no normalization of diplomatic relations between japan and north korea. And it will result in paying a heavy price. Without result without absorbing various outstanding issues, such as abduction, nuclear and missile issues, north korea cannot look ahead to a bright future. Meanwhile, regrettably, morning korea continued to take action which contradict the pyongyang declaration. Instead of sincerely responding to various outstanding issue of concern, even after signed the declaration. To be more specific in the japan dprk summit meeting, north korea admitted to the abduction of japanese people and apologize. According to the decision of kim jongil, chairman of the National Defense commission of north korea, as a result five survivors and their families returned home regarding victims who were said to have died. However, north korea admitted remains a proof of this. Which identify as a remains of the other persons. North koreas response to japan has been thoroughly lacking in good faith. Meanwhile, the japanese side has long continued to strongly demand that north korea secure the safety and immediate return of all abductees, investigate to rebuild the abductions and extradite those responsible for carrying out abductions to japanese authorities. As a result, in may of 2014, at the japan north korea intergovernmental concertation in stock holme, both sides reached an agreement according to the agreement, north korea is established special Investigation Committee to conduct comprehensive and full scale investigation on all japanese nationals, including abductees. Japan decided to part of the measure against north korea, that agreement precisely reflects our principle of dialogue and pressure and action. Based on those principles in the agreement, japan state that japan would consider an appropriate time to provide humanitarian assistance to north korea from the humanitarian viewpoint to urge north vee korea to take sincere resolution towards the abduction issue. It is regrettable, however, that we have not seen any progress towards the return of abduct tees since north korea started to comprehensive investigation nearly two years ago. In addition, north korea conducted the nuclear test last january. And Ballistic Missile launching after that. Therefore we decided to take unilateral measures against north korea toward a comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues, namely, the abduction, nuclear and missile issues. Responding to our decision, north korea unilaterally insisted that this is the declaration of its own scrapping of the Stockholm Agreement and declared that the comprehensive investigation into all of the japanese will be stopped and that special Investigation Committee will be dissolved. We protested against north koreas claim as we were unable to accept it at all. North korea must conduct comprehensive and full scale investigation based on the commitment made by north korea itself in stockholm and must allow all abduct tees to return home as soon as possible based on the result of the investigations. The government japan is concerned party of human rights violation in north korea. As a concerned party, we have lately been encouraged by momentum gained by the International Community towards the improvement of north koreas human rights situation, more than ever before. As everyone here is familiar with the action taken so far, i will no go into details. Those actions include number one, the release of the report of the commission of inquiry on human rights in the democratic peoples republic of korea. Number two, official discussion at the u. N. Security council for two consecutive years, subsequent to the abduction of the res ligs concerning north koreas human rights situation at the u. N. General assembly. Number three, the report of the pursuing accountabilities of north korea for crime against humanities proposed by the u. N. Special prosecutor and the resolution reflects that report that u. N. Human Rights Council last month, according to establish a group of independent expats on accountable. In addition, at the summit meeting that took place at the occasion of the Nuclear Security summit held in washington, d. C. This spring, confirmed the need to move forward with cooperation in the security field among japan and the United States and the republic of korea. In order to deal with the threat from north korea and obtain understanding and support for japans effort in abduction issues, at the japan summit meeting, Prime Minister abe explained that japan intends to continue cooperation aimed at reaching a resolution to north koreas in the United States the north korea sanctions and enhancement act of 2016 was enacted this february. In this act while the requirement for suspending the sanctions is that the government of north korea has made progress towards accounting for and repatriating the students of the country abducted of the government. Also one of the requirements for termination of those sanctions is that the government of north korea has made significant progress toward fully accounting for and repatriating United States student abducted by government of north korea. The concurrent resolution explain concern over the disappearance of [ inaudible ] we are keeping a close watch. We are aiming to improve north koreas human rights situation. We will continue to address the issues. North korea has repeated a series of probative action and has listened to the voice of the voice of the International Community generally. Its necessary to exact pressure on north korea and to have north korea clearly recognize that provocative action will result in paying a heavy price. There is no point in conducting if they do not aim at resolving the issues. Otherwise the abduction issue cannot be resolved. He also insists that it will be impossible for north korea to envision their future result, the resolution of the abduction issue. The abduction issue is a serious issue of concern between japan and north korea is as important as nuclear and missile issues. As i explained about the pyongyang area, the issue as important as north korea as a missile issue for japan. There can be no normalization of the relations. The japanese government also will not provide sanctions result in north koreas concrete action toward a resolution, various outstanding issues, including abduction issue. In other words, north korea needs to realize that unless the result it will be impossible for north korea to envision their future. On the other hand, if north korea sincerely works on very outstanding issues and observes them in accordance with the pyongyang declaration, japan can develop a constructive relationship for the future with north korea, including and important involvement of International Community with north korea will deepen. Based on that assumption, japan is ripe to cooperate with the u. S. And korea and the United Nations so that north korea works on dissolving the aforementioned issues. In north korea, due to its socio political system, kim jong un has the authority to make final policy decisions. Thus the japan the administration urge kim jong un to gain an accurate understanding of what the situation and return all abductees as quickly as possible and the issues of concern would be the rational choice for north korea. The japanese governor will cooperate with the International Community, according to the aforementioned ap