Japan's Self Defense Forces to save own citizens in NK

Japan has said it is prepared to amend its laws to make it possible for its Self Defense Forces to rescue its citizens who have been abducted to North Korea, according to a report in Sankei News. The report said senior officials of the Defense Ministry have discussed the issue with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and there has been a general consensus on introducing the legislation. “We must have a legislation to provide care for Japanese citizens who are abducted,” said Vie Defense Minister Shu Watanabe. Reviews are currently underway on how and what the legislation will cover, another senior defense official said. Park pushes for dialogue President Park Geun-hye said Friday that she will push ahead with the “Korea Peninsula Trust Process” despite North Korea’s threats. “International society has to consistently answer North Korea’s activities with one voice,” Park said during a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. “However, I do hope that the Korea Peninsula Trust Process can be executed.” The remarks followed a proposal Thursday that the two Koreas should meet to address the escalating tension. This is a change from her previous no-dialogue stance.  The Korea Peninsula Trust Process is a carrot-and-stick approach aimed at establishing mutual trust to engage the North over the long term but without tolerating any provocations. Pyongyang has ratcheted up threats against Washington and Seoul by warning of a preemptive nuclear attack. It is believed to be planning the launch of an intermediate-range missile, which is capable of reaching the U.S. territory of Guam, soon. With some reports speculating that the Stalinist country already has the technology to arm missiles with small-sized nuclear warheads, anxiety has increased. Park appears to be seeking to prevent the tensions from further deteriorating by offering talks with North Korea, what is widely seen as the prerequisite of the trust process. She said Northeast Asia can benchmark NATO, which she said secured peace and stability through its own trust process based on concerted efforts of member countries. Park expressed her willingness to strengthen the cooperation between the country and NATO while praising Rasmussen’s leadership in the organization’s recent activities in Afghanistan. Rasmussen is the first NATO secretary general to come to South Korea. Cheong Wa Dae officials said that his visit shows the increased status of South Korea in international society and its activities on the global stage. Rasmussen, who is responsible for managing the alliance and leading its staff, is on a three day visit to Seoul as a part of his Asian trip. Tokyo is his next destination. NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance and collective defense system against attacks from outside. A total of 28 countries in Europe and North America make up the organization, whose headquarters is in Brussels.