Korean-American tourist 'detained' in North Korea during 5-day trip
London, Dec. 14 (ANI)
A Korean-American tourist, who visited North Korea last month during a five-day trip, has reportedly been detained by police in the reclusive state, according to a report.
Kenneth Bae, 44, was in a group of five tourists who visited the northeast city of Rajin. Bae entered North Korea on
November 3 for a five-day visit.
"What we know is that he is a person who wants to help poor children, kotjebis (homeless children), and he took
pictures of them to support them later," The Telegraph quoted Do Hee-youn, a North Korean human rights activist
and head of the Citizens' Coalition for Human Rights of Abductees and North Korean Refugees, as saying.
According to the paper, it hasn't been possible to confirm Bae's arrest in one of the world's most secretive states and
there has been no formal announcement on North Korean media.
The Swedish embassy in Seoul did not immediately respond to an inquiry about whether it was aware of the arrest.
Sweden handles the affairs of US citizens in North Korea because Washington does not have diplomatic relations
with Pyongyang, the paper said.
Kookmin Ilbo newspaper, owned by an evangelical church in Seoul, reported it was expected Bae could be released
in two or three weeks. The paper cited an unidentified source and it was not possible to confirm the report, the paper said.