The abduction of Hong-gyun Kim occurred when he was aboard the vessel Daeseong-ho, which was abducted near the Daejin Port (the East Sea, off the coast of Sokcho), in the vicinity of the Military Demarcation Line, Republic of Korea.1 (c) * Date when the person was last seen (at least month and year), if different from date of arrest or abduction (for example: if seen in a prison months after the initial arrest or abduction) The last time Hong-gyun Kim was seen was on 9 May 2007, when he met his mother and younger brother at the 15th reunion of separated families, held at the Geumgang Mountain Hotel, in the DPRK.2 (d) * Place where the person was last seen (if different from place of arrest or abduction. For example: if seen in a prison months after the initial arrest or abduction. Please, be as precise as possible. Indicate street, city, province or any other relevant information) The last time Hong-gyun Kim was seen was on 9 May 2007, when he met his mother and younger brother at the 15th reunion of separated families, held at the Geumgang Mountain Hotel, in the DPRK.3 (e) Please, provide a full description of how the disappearance took place (attach one page if necessary. Please note that, although this is not a required element, providing a description as detailed as possible of the circumstances of the disappearance will enhance the possibilities to find the person) According to an article released on 10 May 2007 by the Dong-a Ilbo News, Hong-gyun Kim was on board the vessel Daeseong-ho on 23 May 1968, when the Daeseong-ho and its crew was abducted after crossing the Military Demarcation Line while sailing in thick fog and inclement weather. In November 1968, five out of the eight sailors on the Daeseong-ho were sent back; however, Hong-gyun Kim and the other two remaining sailors were not sent back.* *Family members of Hong-gyun Kim were unable to recall any further information regarding the details of Hong-gyun Kim’s disappearance. However, according to patterns in abductee data, North Korea tends to send back older and weaker abductees and retain younger or more skilled abductees. (f) * State or State-supported forces believed to be responsible for the disappearance. If the perpetrators are believed to be State agents, please specify and indicate who and why they are believed to be responsible. Be as precise as possible (military, police, persons in uniform or civilian clothes, agents of security services, unit to which they belong, rank and functions, identifications presented, etc.) According to the testimony of the five sailors aboard the Daeseong-ho who were kidnapped and sent back, (Jin-su Lee and 4 others), the country responsible for the abduction of the Daeseong-ho is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). 1 2 Please see Attachment 1: Map Please see Attachment 2: Article 4