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The Invitation-Only Zone
The Invitation-Only Zone: The Extraordinary Story of North Korea's Abduction Project | Robert S. Boynton
6 posts | 5 read | 1 reading | 2 to read
During the 1970s and early 80s, dozens - perhaps hundreds - of Japanese civilians were kidnapped by North Korean commandos and forced to live in 'Invitation Only Zones', high-security detention-centres masked as exclusive areas, on the outskirts of Pyongyang. The objective? To brainwash the abductees with the regime's ideology, and train them to spy on the state's behalf. But the project faltered; when indoctrination failed, the captives were forced to teach North Korean operatives how to pass as Japanese, to help them infiltrate hostile neighbouring nations. For years, the Japanese and North Korean authorities brushed off these disappearances, but in 2002 Kim Jong Il admitted to kidnapping thirteen citizens, returning five of them - the remaining eight were declared dead. In The Invitation Only Zone, Boynton, an investigative journalist, speaks with the abductees, nationalists and diplomats, and crab fishermen, to try and untangle both the kidnappings and the intensely complicated relations between North Korea and Japan. The result is a fierce and fascinating exploration of North Korea's mysterious machinations, and the vexed politics of Northeast Asia.
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Martta
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Mehso-so

This was an interesting read about North Korea's abduction project. It was full of historical information about the relationship of Japan and Koreas and gave me a lot of new information. The writing style was close to history school books and that made it a bit difficult and slow to read. I also feel like some parts of this book could have been summarized and made shorter. The stories of the abducted people were so interesting! #LitsyAtoZ

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Martta
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This was news to me! I didn't know North Korea has abducted people from Nordic countries's area as well. 🤔

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Martta
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Eurovision songs & Book & Tea at the balcony. The first time listening these through and just in time. It's the usual Eurovision quality so no surprises here. 🎶🎵

Itchyfeetreader I love Eurovision - it‘s an unashamed guilty pleasure 6y
21 likes1 comment
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Martta
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How wonderful surprise I found a beautiful bookmark inside! 😍 The sales person in the bookstore must have slipped it between the pages when I was buying it.

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Martta
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After reading The Horse whisperer (loved it by the way). I went over my bookshelf and realized that I have sooo many books about North Korea waiting to be read. So here goes my second one this year.

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GoneFishing

The quest to root out the traces of Japanese influence that pollute Korean purity continues to this day.