A Korean American is being detained in North Korea, said representatives from the U.S. State Department on Tuesday.
JoongAng Ilbo sources are reporting that the man, surnamed Jeon, may have been detained while doing missionary work, although he does also have a business related to North Korea. Jeon often shuffled between the U.S. and North Korea, with a valid visa.
According to CNN, because United States does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, the Swedish Embassy is working with the U.S. State Department. The Swedes have been granted consular access and are asking for regular visits.
As of yet, there is no additional information being released, but this is just the most recent incident of U.S citizens being detained in North Korea. In 2010, Aijalon Mahli Gomes was fined roughly $600,000 and was sentenced to eight years of hard labor for crossing over the Chinese border into North Korea; in 2009, Laura Ling and Euna Lee were arrested and sentenced to 12 years hard labor; in late 2009, missionary Robert Park crossed over and was detained for six weeks before being released.
“We would call on the government of North Korea to release this citizen on humanitarian grounds,” U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. “We would ask that they respect and treat this citizen in a manner consistent with international human rights law.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter is visiting North Korea in two weeks; Carter was responsible for the released of Gomes in August of 2010, but this planned trip is reportedly to be focused on North Korea’s nuclear programs. As of yet, there are no reports that Carter will be in North Korea to help gain Jeon’s release.
