Posted on 07/27/2004 1:42:57 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo
(Sgt. Charles Robert) Jenkins Ready for Court-Martial
Yomiuri Shimbun
Charles Jenkins, the husband of former abductee Hitomi Soga, has confided to his nephew that he is prepared to be court-martialed, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.
Jenkins, who is accused of deserting the U.S. Army while stationed in South Korea in 1965, made the comment in a handwritten note delivered to James Hyman before he returned to his North Carolina home last Sunday.
Hyman claimed in a press conference Friday in Tokyo that the Japanese government had prevented him from seeing his uncle.
In the letter, Jenkins, whose full name is Charles Robert Jenkins, also touched on his feelings for his family back in the United States.
He mentioned he had twice spoken to Hyman's younger sister, Pat, by telephone while in Jakarta, and thanked him for making a video of the family that Soga had asked him to make.
"I received the letter before returning home, but I can't give you any more details about how it got to me," Hyman, who arrived in Japan on July 17, immediately before Jenkins did, told The Yomiuri Shimbun in a telephone interview.
The full text of the letter--reprinted here as Jenkins wrote it--is as follows:
"James I am sick and I can see (no one). Pat called me two times.
"I would like to see you, but it is impossible at this time. But please leave the video cassetts (sic). I would like to see my family befor (sic) I die.
"Tell everyone I said hello and if I make it through the courtmarishal (sic) I will see you all. Love Robert Jenkins."
The letter is dated July 23, with the date written in Korean script at the end of the message.
Note he signed it as "Robert", his middle name, which he always went by. His defection letters from North Korea back in 1965 were signed "Charles", which he did not generally go by.
Can anyone imagine this chap teaching ENGLISH to North Koreans at Amnokgang Teacher's College in Pyongyang????
What also is emerging is that Jenkins told Japanese officials, now that he is in Japan, that were he to meet his Japanese wife Soga in China instead of Indonesia (who had been kidnapped by the North but released two years), the North Koreans promised Jenkins a private driver/car in Pyongyang and his home renovated, and an award from Kim Jong il--provided he could get her to go BACK to North Korea with him to live there.
I would cherish being the debriefer.
There are tons of serious, very serious questions I wish to ask him myself. He had better cut a deal and cooperate, there are agrieved families of American POWs in DPRK, who wonder if he came in contact with any of their people up there....and whatever happened to them.
So far, this is probably the only guy outside of North Korea that knows something about them....except perhaps Hwang Jang Yop. Let's hope he doesnt croak before the interrogation and proceedings.
"Note he signed it as "Robert", his middle name, which he always went by. His defection letters from North Korea back in 1965 were signed "Charles", which he did not generally go by."
thats what makes me think he was kidnapped,in Rich square he was known as "Super due his small statue and bravdo
I think our goverment knows more then they are saying
Apparantly, some jerks conveniently "lost" some of his several letters from Pyongyang to his relatives, that were intercepted by Uncle Sam (and never shown to the relatives). These could prove his innocence or guilt. Now they are lost to the ages. Hmmm.
Is Jenkins in Japan now?
I find that Very suspicious,I would not put it past the state Department Bureaucrats to falsely Labeled Jenkins A defector so they won'nt Have to Deal the headache and Political Fallout of NK kiddnapping an American
Yes, I can agree with what you say.
He was in much better shape getting off the plane from Pyongyang in Jakarta, than he was when he struggled at Haneda (Tokyo) afterwards. Either a heck of a show, or the guy is going down hill fast. There are many skeptics. I am told Jenkins has turned to strong drink and violence in his family, probably due to hating North Korea on the one hand, and on the other not knowing what Uncle Sam would do to him. Rightly or wrongly--others can judge that--he is suffering no doubt.
FYI, the photo above is him getting off the plane in Tokyo the week before last. His two daughers took off their Kim Il Sung badges (they are behind him in white). He is with his wife, who was kidnapped from Japan to North Korea (her mother killed in the process) some 25 years ago.
May he live his last years in the brig at Ft Levenworth - He is still a traitor!
These could prove his innocence or guilt. ???
You think this traitor is NOT guilty? age has nothing to do with guilt.
He should have stayed in N Korea where he deserves to die.
what if he WAS kidnapped,and what about a trial first?
or is that to much to ask?
If he did run north on his own I would like the hear how he rates that decision now after all these years in the "Workers Paradise."
I was stationed in Japan during the late nineties before N. Korea admitted to kidnapping all these Japanese citizens. There was always speculation, but no confirmation. Always rumors from N. Korean defectors. I am actually surprised they didn't try to kidnap Americans off the line to use for intel purposes.
It seems pretty obvious... He wants free health care.
He is guaranteed to get it here.
From the photo, it looks like he has spawned too,
so his wife and kids and clan will come over too.
open borders for deserters.
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