US could delay moves to arrest alleged deserter

An American accused of deserting the US Army and defecting to North Korea has arrived in Japan, despite the risk of military prosecution.

Charles Jenkins was admitted to hospital on his arrival in Tokyo, where he will be treated for several health problems.

His presence in the country means he is within the reach of US authorities for the first time in 39 years.

But US authorities have suggested they may delay any moves to take him into custody because of his poor health.

Jenkins, who vanished from his platoon in 1965 and later played devilish American characters in communist propaganda films, faces possible US military prosecution on desertion and other charges.

Jenkins’ arrival, shown live on Japanese television, came amid a wave of public sympathy in the country over the plight of his Japanese wife, Hitomi Soga.

The couple were married after she was kidnapped in Japan by North Korean agents in 1978 and taken to the communist country. The couple have two daughters.

The family arrived on a Japanese government-chartered flight from Jakarta, Indonesia, where they held an emotional reunion after nearly two years of separation.

Soga returned to Japan from North Korea with four other abductees in 2002, but Jenkins stayed behind with their daughters for fear of US prosecution.

Japanese and American officials say Jenkins, 64, from North Carolina, is in dire need of medical attention.

He needs attention for an abdominal operation he underwent in North Korea and other health problems.

The Japanese government, eager to reunite Soga’s family, has pushed for US clemency.

It is also standing by its position that Jenkins’ health should take priority over his legal problems.

The United States has maintained its right to pursue a case against Jenkins.

He was never officially discharged from the military, and is subject to US military authorities under an agreement between the United States and Japan, where some 50,000 U.S. troops are based.

But American officials, including US Ambassador Howard Baker, have said in recent days that they are sympathetic to his health and medical requirements.

Baker has met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and said that taking Jenkins into US custody could be delayed.

Jenkins’ family has denied that he is a deserter, maintaining that he was kidnapped by North Korea.

His nephew James Hyman has called for his uncle to be pardoned.

“We hope that with it being so long since he’s been gone that he might not be prosecuted,” said Hyman.