Abduction of civilians during the Korean War: analysis of abductee lists and armistice talks

Abstract

Abstract Since the preceding Roh Moo-hyun government, the move toward a new peace regime has become more evident. However, the question of the Korean War civilian abductees remains noticeably absent from any talks or agreement. In as much as the North Korean authorities deny any large-scale abduction of civilians, this research aims to prove North Korea's complicity in these abductions and also explain their purpose. Accordingly, this study analyzes the trends of the abductions by examining the number of abductees by region, the timing of the abductions, the abduction agents, the process of the abductions, the occupations of the abductees, and the expected value of the abductees. As a result, it can be proven that the civilian abductions were undertaken as an important and integral part of the North Korean war policy. Furthermore, this research points out the mistakes in policy and bargaining tactics committed by the UN side during the armistice talks. Finally, when considering the non-observance of the e...