North Korea admits kidnappings North Korea admits kidnappings PYONGYANG, North Korea, Sept. 17 In an astonishing concession at a summit with Japan s Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il confirmed Tuesday that North Korean spies kidnapped Japanese citizens decades ago, and said at least four are still alive. Six of the 11 Tokyo has long claimed were abducted were confirmed to be dead, while one never entered the country. North Korea also admitted that two others who disappeared in Europe had also died. Although one of the victims, Megumi Yokota who disappeared when she was 13 had died, her daughter was confirmed to be still alive in Pyongyang, the official said. Kim acknowledged that in the past some misguided people in his country had carried out the kidnappings to learn the Japanese language and assume their identities, the official said. I am getting a big shock. When I think of the families feelings, the pain is unbearable, Koizumi was quoted as telling Kim. How the people had died was not immediately clear. Japan demanded a thorough investigation of the deaths.