It's fascinating whenever someone cons people out of pots of money — doubly so when someone cons a whole government. Take, for example, Japan's biggest news story two weeks ago: Kim Hyon Hui's four-day visit to Japan.
You might recall that in 1987 this North Korean spy, traveling on a fake Japanese passport, blew up a South Korean commercial airliner, killing 115 passengers.
Last July 20, however, this agent of international terrorism was allowed into Japan for a reception worthy of a state guest. Bypassing standard immigration procedures, Kim had her entry visa personally approved by our justice minister, boarded a chartered flight that cost Japan's taxpayers ¥10 million, and was whisked by helicopter to former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's private dacha to eat with political elites.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.