Kim Jong Il's sushi chef returns after fleeing for life
September 19, 2012 -- Updated 1026 GMT (1826 HKT)
Sushi chef's North Korean drama
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Fujimoto has written a number of books about the Kim family since leaving N. Korea
- During visit, Fujimoto meets Kim Jong Un and his wife
- Fujimoto says Kim gave him a free pass to visit N. Korea whenever he wants
Kenji Fujimoto was the
personal sushi chef of Kim's father, the late Kim Jong Il, before
fleeing to his native Japan in 2001, fearing his life was in danger.
More than a decade later,
he returned to North Korea and described a warm reunion with the young
Kim. "I jumped up to hug him, shouting 'Comrade General' and instantly
burst into tears ... He hugged me back, the first hug in 11 years. I
said, 'Fujimoto the betrayer is back now,' and I apologized for all I
did and all I disclosed about him. He said, 'OK, don't worry anymore.'"
Fujimoto has written a number of books about the Kim family since he left North Korea.
The former chef says he
often played with the young Kim before he escaped. During his recent
two-week visit, he says Kim thanked him for playing with him and talked
about their going horse-riding, jet-skiing; playing tennis, basketball;
and rollerblading together. Fujimoto said of the young leader, "I was
surprised how gentle a person he is."
Kim Jong Un marries mystery woman
It is not clear why the
younger Kim decided to invite Fujimoto back to North Korea, but it is
clear that Fujimoto is unwilling to say anything negative about him or
the country. Speaking of Pyongyang, he said, "I went window shopping
from the third day. There are plenty of goods in shops. That's already a
big difference. There was nothing there 10 years ago ... I guess it
changed drastically since the Kim Jong Un era started."
Pyongyang has improved
over the past decade, but it is a city for the elite and chosen. In the
countryside that few visitors are allowed to see, the situation is very
different. Aid groups say food is scarce and malnutrition high.
It may not surprise many
that Fujimoto, with his glowing praise, sounds at times like a spokesman
for the regime. His wife and children are still living in Pyongyang.
Fujimoto claims they want to stay, but there is no way to know for sure.
Spending every day with his family, he then stayed the night in a room
in the Secretary's department, claiming he needed to for safety, as
there are many who do not forgive him, as he says Kim has done.
I said clearly that if I go back to Japan safely, the reputation of Supreme Commander 'Comrade General' would soar enormously
Kenji Fujimoto , former chef to Kim Jong Il
Kenji Fujimoto , former chef to Kim Jong Il
Fujimoto also met Kim's
wife whom the world did not even know about a couple of weeks ago. Of Ri
Sol-ju he said, "She is just so charming. I cannot describe her voice,
it's so soft... She said to me, 'Welcome to the republic. Our comrade
the Supreme Commander missed you the most. He was always talking about
you. Thank you for coming.'
Kim organized a party in
Fujimoto's honor, according to the chef. He says they talked about old
times and did not mention the current situation of North Korea at all.
He does admit forgetting how the party ended after he had a few drinks.
"When I regained consciousness, I was on a bed. I asked if I did anything disrespectful. No one said I did, so I felt relieved."
Fujimoto says Kim gave
him a free pass to visit North Korea whenever he wanted, an invitation
few have. The benefit of the visit for Kim's international reputation is
not lost on Fujimoto.
"I said clearly that if I
go back to Japan safely, the reputation of Supreme Commander 'Comrade
General' would soar enormously," he said.
Fujimoto is now willing to tell all who will listen about the virtues of the young North Korean leader.
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