Push to reopen North Korean abduction case

Campaigners seek justice for Thai citizen who was kidnapped in 1978, writes Anucha Charoenpo

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Ebihara: Seeks government action

A human rights group is calling on the Thai government to revive efforts to resolve the case of Anocha Panjoy, a Chiang Mai native abducted by North Korean agents in 1978.

Despite the case being confirmed 20 years ago, no progress has been made regarding her return or any acknowledgement by the North Korean regime about her abduction or her well-being. It is unclear if Ms Anocha is still alive. If she is, she would be 71.

Tomoharu Ebihara, president of the Chiang Mai-based Support Group for Victims Abducted by North Korea and visiting professor at Reitaku University in Japan, told the Bangkok Post that he met the Senate’s Human Rights Subcommittee in Bangkok on Nov 20 and presented Ms Anocha’s case to them.

“We asked the Senate to consider sending a formal request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pursue direct negotiations with North Korea,” Mr Ebihara said. “But there has been no clear resolution or commitment.”

Mr Ebihara said that in September, the group submitted a petition to have the case renewed to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Mr Ebihara, who has worked on the case since 2005, said when evidence of Ms Anocha’s abduction first surfaced in that year, he and his wife led a support group primarily on their own, with occasional help from students and volunteers.

"I'm using the anniversary to renew public awareness of her case and call for government action. I also want to invite other advocates and human rights defenders to take part in this fresh move to help bring her back to the country,” he said.

Mr Ebihara criticised Thailand's longstanding approach to handling the matter solely through bilateral channels with Pyongyang, avoiding international platforms such as the UN and cooperation with countries like Japan and South Korea. This strategy has produced no results, he said.