North Korea says American was detained for 'attempted subversion'

[webfact]

North Korea says American was detained for 'attempted subversion'

By Ju-min Park

REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Wednesday an American man it had detained in late April, the third U.S. citizen being held by the isolated country, was intercepted because he was attempting to commit "hostile acts".

 

The state-run KCNA news agency said the American, identified last month as Kim Sang Dok, was arrested on April 22 at the Pyongyang airport for committing "hostile criminal acts with an aim to subvert the country".

 

The latest information about Kim's detention comes as tensions on the Korean peninsula run high, driven by concerns that the North might conduct its sixth nuclear test in defiance of U.S. pressure and United Nations sanctions.

 

The United States is negotiating with China, North Korea's sole major ally, about a stronger U.N. Security Council response, although Washington has also reiterated that all options for dealing with the North remain on the table.

 

North Korea, which has been criticised for its human rights record, has in the past used detained Americans to extract high-profile visits from the United States, with which it has no formal diplomatic relations.

 

KCNA said on Wednesday Kim had taught an accounting course in Pyongyang.

 

"Invited to Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST) to teach accounting as a professor, he was intercepted for committing criminal acts of hostility aimed to overturn the DPRK not only in the past but also during his last stay before interception," KCNA news agency said, using North Korea's official name of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

 

Law enforcement officials were investigating Kim's alleged crime, it said.

 

Kim, who also goes by his English name Tony Kim and is in his 50s, was detained at Pyongyang International Airport as he attempted to leave the country, the university's chancellor had said previously.

 

PUST said in an email to Reuters that it did not believe Kim's detention was related to his work at the university.

 

A PUST spokesman, who asked not to be identified, said Kim's wife, who was with him when he was arrested, had since returned to the United States.

 

"Mrs Kim left the DPRK and is now back in the USA with family and friends," the spokesman said. "We certainly hope for a positive resolution as soon as possible."

 

The other two Americans already held in North Korea are Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old student, and Kim Dong Chul, a 62-year-old Korean-American missionary.

 

Warmbier was detained in January 2016 and sentenced to 15 years hard labour for attempting to steal a propaganda banner.

Two months later, Kim Dong Chul was sentenced to 10 years hard labour for subversion. Neither has appeared in public since their sentencing.

 

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-03

[55Jay]

Must be a very weak, paranoid government if one guy can be a credible subversion threat to the entire country.  

[Ulic]

Americans who go to North Korea should need a visa from the US government and to get that they should need to go for a complete physiological evaluation.

[hawker9000]

9 hours ago, Ulic said:

Americans who go to North Korea should need a visa from the US government and to get that they should need to go for a complete physiological evaluation.

"physiological examination"?

 

You want to know how they'll respond to torture or what?

 

Just put the DPRK off-limits to US citizens.  As Cuba was.  It's all you can do.  If they then go there, they do so in violation of US law, at their own risk, and with no expectation of any assistance whatsoever from the US government.  Period.

 

Some few will still go.  You can count on it.  Leave them out in the cold.  Or let the ever useless UN handle it.

[Srikcir]

At least Kim should be comforted that Trump would be honored to meet Kim Jong-Un.

[anon4546543]

Korea is getting a few hostages now. Nothing new, they kidnapped many Japanese and Sth Korean citizens over their 60 odd years of existence.

 

Some thing needs to be done to stop this monster state. Hopefully China will provide a peaceful solution. Another talkfest as promoted by China is not the solution.

[55Jay]

Mine the entire ground invasion path American style!  

NK Troops will be "Lovin' It!" 

 

 

 

 

 

[ballpoint]

On ‎3‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 5:35 PM, 55Jay said:

Must be a very weak, paranoid government if one guy can be a credible subversion threat to the entire country.  

Tell that to Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.

[55Jay]

1 minute ago, ballpoint said:

Tell that to Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.

Touché. 

[mrwebb8825]

Maybe we can exchange Dennis R. for the 3 Americans. Kim likes him.