N. Korea Admits It Abducted Japanese (washingtonpost.com)

"A stunning admission by the leader of North Korea that his country kidnapped 12 Japanese -- eight of whom have died -- cleared the way for a historic agreement today with Japan. "

...

"The Japanese people vanished in a variety of circumstances. A 52-year-old security man disappeared from an inn; a 22-year-old bar hostess went missing after dropping off her children at a day-care center; two college students on summer vacation went missing near a beach; an engaged couple disappeared after apparently stopping at a seaside lookout."