Barred Korean activist enters Japan

A South Korean civic group leader who was barred from entering Japan last week was allowed entry at Narita airport Saturday after her exclusion spurred public criticism.

Kim Ae Hwa, a representative from the Committee for Asian Women, was able to take part in a forum in Tokyo later in the day organized by Asian nongovernmental organizations.

The forum was held to discuss regional disparities and the protection of farmers in developing countries before the Group of Eight summit opens in July in Hokkaido, participants said.

Kim was refused entry Wednesday at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture and had to return home later that day after being interviewed by immigration officials at the airport.

Other participants in the forum organized by the G8 Action Network, an organizer of various Japanese civic groups, held a news conference Friday criticizing the government for barring Kim.

Kim flew back to Narita airport Saturday with the materials for the forum and was interviewed for nearly three hours before being allowed to enter. She then left to attend the forum.