WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld indicated Tuesday that a U.S. army deserter who married a Japanese national after she was kidnapped to North Korea would face court-martial if he visits his wife in Japan. "It is my understanding that there is currently a case against the individual, a legal case," Rumsfeld said at a news conference, referring to former U.S. Army Sgt Charles Robert Jenkins.
Jenkins, 62, deserted to North Korea in 1965 while stationed on the South Korean side of the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas.
He married Hitomi Soga in North Korea in 1980 and together they have two daughters, both born in North Korea.
Jenkins, 62, deserted to North Korea in 1965 while stationed on the South Korean side of the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas.
He married Hitomi Soga in North Korea in 1980 and together they have two daughters, both born in North Korea.
Soga, 43, one of five Japanese abducted to North Korea about a quarter century ago and is currently back in Japan, has expressed a desire to be reunited with her husband and their children in Japan.
The Japanese government has asked the U.S. to give special consideration on the case in light of the circumstances surrounding Soga's marriage.
Japanese and U.S. officials are discussing Jenkins' fate but have not reached a conclusion.
There is no statute of limitation for U.S. solders who desert overseas. (Kyodo News)
The Japanese government has asked the U.S. to give special consideration on the case in light of the circumstances surrounding Soga's marriage.
Japanese and U.S. officials are discussing Jenkins' fate but have not reached a conclusion.
There is no statute of limitation for U.S. solders who desert overseas. (Kyodo News)