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A fisherman kidnapped by North Korea in the East Sea in August 1975 finally arrived home in South Korea on Tuesday, 31 years after his abduction. Choi Uk-il (67) landed at Incheon International Airport on KE832 from China at 4:56 p.m.
Choi was greeted with tears by his wife Yang Jeong-ja (66), who was waiting for him in the arrivals hall. They had last seen each other 13 days ago in Yanji, China when they sought help from the South Korean Consulate in Shenyang, only to be cold-shouldered by an official who was more interested to discover where they got the phone number. Yang returned to the South alone before the Foreign Ministry under public pressure arranged for Choi¡¯s return.
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Fisherman Choi Uk-il arrives at Incheon International Airport via Shenyang, China, more than 31 years after he was abducted to North Korea.
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Yang wiped her tears with her left hand while placing the hand of their son Choi Pil-gyu on his father's. Pil-gyu was separated from his father at the age of seven months. Speaking to his father for the first time in his life on Tuesday, he too burst into tears. Choi Uk-il then hugged his daughters Gyung-hui and Sun-hui, telling them, "I¡¯m sorry, sorry."
Choi Sung-yong, the head of the Family Assembly Abducted to North Korea, a group fighting for the return of victims of the North¡¯s bizarre kidnapping policy in the 1970s and 80s, was at the airport, handing Choi a national flag to celebrate his safe return. Waving the flag, Choi said, "I am honored to be received as a South Korean citizen again. Thank you all. I¡¯m really grateful." He said he had been treated with contempt while living in the North and kept under strict surveillance by the State Safety and Security Agency. He vowed to do anything in his power to contribute to South Korea. After a short reunion with his family, Choi left for a government agency that debriefs North Korean defectors.
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The children of Choi Uk-il bow in greeting after the fisherman arrived in South Korea more than 31 years after he was abducted to the North.
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Escaping from North Korea last Christmas Day, Choi met his wife in Yenji, China on Dec. 31. He was handed over to South Korean officials on Jan. 5.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry is taking action against two consular officials in Shenyang who allegedly refused to help Choi when he called them on their cell phones. The ministry also gave the consulate a warning. Choi, after finally escaping the North, called an official for help on Jan. 2. "Who gave my phone number?" the official asked, sparking a uproar here when the reaction became public. The official has been fired and the officials's superior reportedly received disciplinary punishment. Vice Foreign Minister Cho Jung-pyo praised China for providing ¡°positive support¡± in returning Choi to South Korea.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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