#371: 9 University Students Hijack A Japanese Plane to North Korea
Jun 30, 2024
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Discover the luxurious lifestyle of nine Japanese families living in North Korea's gated community, actually hijackers who flew a plane into North Korea. The group, including university students, faced challenges mid-flight, negotiated with authorities, and landed in Pyongyang, highlighting the unexpected turn of events and diplomatic intrigue. Explore the aftermath of the hijacking, including enforced marriages, indoctrination, and espionage in North Korea.
01:18:43
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Quick takeaways
Residents of 'Little Japan' in North Korea are actually hijackers seeking refuge under the Supreme Leader's protection.
Power dynamics and negotiations intensify as the hijackers aim to reach North Korea for military training.
Hijackers, initially seeking a communist revolution, end up as elite assets in North Korea, abandoning their original ideals.
Deep dives
Hijackers' Miscalculated Plan to Land in 'Little Japan'
Hijackers onboard a Japanese commercial airliner plan to land in what they believe to be North Korea but instead land in South Korea. Upon realizing their location, authorities urgently coordinate to create the illusion of a North Korean airport at South Korea's Kimpo Airport to comply with the hijackers' demands.
Negotiations and Political Maneuvering
Intense negotiations unfold as authorities strategize to secure the release of 99 hostages aboard the hijacked plane. A complex web of political interests emerges, including Japan's concern for its citizens, South Korea's reputation, and potential U.S. involvement. The hijackers display determination to reach North Korea for military training, which adds further complexity to the negotiations.
Unexpected Offer from North Korea
Surprisingly, North Korea communicates with Japan, assuring safe passage for the hijacked plane through North Korean airspace. North Korea guarantees humane treatment for all aboard and willingness to accept the hijackers. This unforeseen development shifts the negotiation dynamics, raising questions about the fate of the hostages and the wisdom of trusting North Korea's assurances.
Hijacking and Revolutionary Goals
The hijackers, part of a sub faction called the Red Army, aimed to overthrow the Japanese government and incite a global communist revolution. They used violent methods including holding hostages for ransom and attacking embassies to fund their missions. After landing in North Korea, they were treated as heroes and were indoctrinated to unite North and South Korea under Kim Il-sung's rule.
Life in North Korea and Legacy
The hijackers, now married to Japanese women, were seen as assets for North Korea's covert operations. They allegedly engaged in counterfeiting schemes and kidnapped Japanese nationals sympathetic to North Korean ideologies. While some hijackers died in North Korea, others faced extradition requests from Japan for crimes including assault, international kidnapping, and hostage taking. Despite their initial revolutionary goals for equality, they lived as the affluent elite in North Korea, realizing a stark contrast to their original vision.
There’s this fascinating little town called ‘Little Japan.’ It’s a gated community with cookie-cutter houses, though they boast beautiful chandeliers and heated floors, and all of them have a matching set of priceless portraits hanging on their walls.
The residents are nine Japanese families, hence the name, and they have their own private chefs, maids, even chauffeurs in black Mercedes. A small movie theater, a massive sauna house, and a grocery store where they never have to pay. The catch? If they ever want to leave the community ‘gates,’ they must ask for permission from the Supreme Leader… The town itself is not even an hour outside of North Korea’s capital.
The families themselves are neither Japanese nor North Korean royalty, nor are they diplomats or even government officials either.
They’re a gang of hijackers. Hijackers who stole a plane and flew it into North Korea—and now the distinguished guests of the Kim regime were to become his secret weapon.