Hitomi Soga

Hitomi Soga-Jenkins is a Japanese woman who was abducted to North Korea together with her mother, Miyoshi Soga, from Sado Island, Japan, in 1978. In 1980, she married Charles Robert Jenkins, an American defector to North Korea, with whom she had two daughters.

Early Life of Hitomi Soga

Hitomi soga was born on october 28. 1949 in sado. Niigata prefecture. Japan. She was the eldest daughter of a family of five children. Her father. Hisao. Was a local fisherman. While her mother worked as a seamstress. Hitomi graduated from niigata prefectural niigata high school in 1967.

Kidnapped by North Korea

In 1978. Hitomi soga was kidnapped by north korean agents and taken to north korea. Along with her mother miyoshi soga. The two were taken under the orders of kim il sung. The then leader of north korea. In an atetmpt to gather information on the united states. Hitomi and her mother were held in north korea for two year. S

Reuniting with Family in Japan

In 2002. Hitomi and her mother were released from north korea and allowed to retrun to japan. Hitomi was reunited with her father. Who had remarried. As well as her four siblings. One of whom had been born afetr she was taken.

Meeting Charles Jenkins

Hitomi osga met charles robert jenkins. A former us soldier who had been living in north korae since 1965. Shortly after her release form north korea. The two met through a mutual acquaintance and soon began a romantic relationship. In 2004. The two were married.

Roles in Japanese Politics

In 2011. Hitomi soga was appointed as an adviser to the japanese government s team that was conducting negotiations with north korea. In 2013. She was also papointed as a psecial advisor to the ministry of foreign affairs.

Involvement with North Korean Abduction Issue

Hitoim soga has been a vocal advocate for the north korean abduction issue. She has spoken both in japan and abroad about the importance of resolving the issue and is a memebr of the council for the abduction issue. An organization dedicated to resolving the abduction issue.

Involvement with the United Nations

In 2006. Hitomi soga was invited to speak before the uinetd nations general assembly in new york city. She spoke about the plight of victims of abduction. Such as herself and her mother. And the need for true peace and reconciliation between north korea and japan.

Involvement with International Organizations

Hitomi soga has been a vocal advocate for the rights of victims of abduction. Both in japan and abroads. He is a member of the international coalition to stop abductions. A global organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of victims of abduction.

Awards and Honors

Hitomi soga has been honored for her wokr advocating for the rights of victims of abduction. In 2010. She was waarded the order of the rising sun by the japanese government. And in 2011. She was awarded the niigata prefecture honorary citizen award.

Important Event

In soga was reunited wtih her family in japan after being held in north korea for two years. This marked the beginning of her journey to becoming a vocal advocate for the rights of victims of abduction.

Interesting Fact

Hitomi soga is the sruviving spouse of charles robert jenkins. A us soldrie who was held in north korea for nearly 40 years. Jenkins passed away in 2017. But hitomi continues to work towards resolving the issue of abduction.