A/HRC/16/58 families of persons abducted and taken to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.9 In June 2005, KWAFU revised and updated its list. KWAFU has demanded speedier results regarding the status of the persons abducted during the Korean War and their early return. As it stands now, apart from raising the question of abductions in a number of inter-Korean Red Cross meetings and providing details of abductees to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea authorities, results in resolving the problem are still awaited. During the 15th Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting (21–24 June 2005) the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea agreed to “consult on humanitarian issues”, including the confirmation of status of those who went missing during the war. This continued during 6th Inter-Korean Red Cross meeting and the 16th Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting in 2005. During the thirteenth family reunion meeting held in March 2006, an attempt was made to include the families of abducted persons and, for this purpose, a request was made to confirm the whereabouts of four abducted persons, but none was confirmed. 22. The Special Rapporteur also heard with great interest the desire on the part of the Government of the Republic of Korea and its people to address the situation of abductees and look at the issue of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In this regard the Special Rapporteur appeals to the authorities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cooperate with the Republic of Korea with the aim of effectively resolving the long-standing problem of abductees. 23. In Japan, the question of abduction was also an important issue in several meetings and briefings. As of today, only 5 of 17 indentified abductees have returned to Japan, with another 12 cases still pending. In this regard, the international community saw a glimmer of hope between 2002 – when the Japan-Democratic People’s Republic of Korea summit showed indications that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was willing to admit the abductions it carried out – and 2008 – when the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea agreed to establish an investigation committee with adequate authority to look into the matter. Since then, however, much to the regret of the international community, there has been no positive outcome and the agreement stands unimplemented. 24. The urgency of the matter is clear. The abductees are getting old and so are their family members in Japan. During his mission to Japan, the Special Rapporteur had the opportunity to meet with the families of a few abductees and hear their grievances. Sharing his sympathies with the abductees and their families, the Special Rapporteur pledges that he will follow this matter closely and do everything possible to highlight their case, along with the wider human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, at various international forums. 25. It is pertinent to note that a number of other countries, such as Lebanon, and Thailand have also reportedly seen such abductions by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea authorities. The Special Rapporteur stresses that the question of abductions is not only a bilateral issue between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Japan or the Republic of Korea, but one that concerns the international community at large and has strong and direct links to the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It is thus incumbent upon the authorities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to settle this long-standing question of abduction and look at wider issues of the human rights and humanitarian situation of the people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. With regards to abductions of Japanese nationals, the Special Rapporteur urges the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to return to the promises made during August 9 Ibid. 7