Gov`t to ask N. Korean defector Hwang to speak at Diet: Nakai

TOKYO, Oct. 22 Kyodo -
The Japanese government is planning to invite Hwang Jang Yop, a former
high-ranking North Korean official who defected to South Korea in 1997, to
Japan and speak at a Diet session, Hiroshi Nakai, minister in charge of
abduction issues said Thursday.
''We would like to ask (Hwang) to come to Japan during the extra Diet session
(opening Monday) and speak there,'' Nakai said, adding that Tokyo is in talks
with the South Korean government over a possible visit to Japan by Hwang.
Nakai left Japan for South Korea later Thursday to gather information on the
past abductions of Japanese nationals and other people by North Korea. It
remains unclear, however, whether he can arrange a meeting with Hwang, a former
secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and close aide to North Korea leader
Kim Jong Il.
''There is no doubt that we will offer him an invitation,'' Nakai said. ''It
would be of great benefit to Japan as a whole if he talks about not only the
abduction issue, but Kim's regime as well.''
==Kyodo