Jailed missionary pleas for help

US man detained for over a year in DPRK says govts should cooperate

US missionary Kenneth Bae, imprisoned in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for more than a year, said on Monday that he wants to return to his family as soon as possible and hopes the United States will help, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported.

The appeal came after the DPRK signaled last week that it was prepared to reach out to the Republic of Korea if it abandoned military drills with the US that start next month.

Bae, a 45-year old ethnic Korean, was jailed for 15 years of hard labor for state subversion in the DPRK, where he was detained in 2012 while leading a tour group.

The DPRK's Supreme Court said he used his tourism business to form groups aimed at overthrowing the government, and his crimes deserved the death penalty.

The missionary made his appeal for help from the US at a news conference that he said was convened at his own request. He was under guard during the appearance.

Wearing a gray cap and inmate's uniform with the number 103 on his chest, Bae spoke in Korean during the brief appearance, which was attended by The Associated Press and a few other foreign media in Pyongyang.

"I believe that my problem can be solved by close cooperation and agreement between the American government and the government of this country," he said.

Bae, the longest-serving US detainee in the DPRK in recent years, expressed hope that the US government would do its best to secure his release. He said he has not been ill treated in confinement and appeared to be in reasonable health during the news conference.

He admitted during his statement that he had broken DPRK laws.

It was not immediately clear why the DPRK authorities allowed the news conference, Bae's second media appearance since he was jailed.

An attempt by a US emissary to secure Bae's release was called off by Pyongyang in August, and there has been no official contact between the US and the DPRK since then.

On one of his trips, Bae recalled singing hymns together with his mission tourists at a beach surrounded by DPRK nationals.

Reuters - AP

US missionary Kenneth Bae (right) leaves after speaking to reporters at Pyongyang Friendship Hospital on Monday. Kim Kwang-Hyon / Associated Press

(China Daily 01/21/2014 page12)