Asia-Pacific

DPRK decides to release American trespasser

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-05 10:48

PYONGYANG: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has decided to release an American detained for trespassing the DPRK border, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday.

Photo released on Feb. 5, 2010 by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows detained American Robert Park. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) decided to release Robert Park who was detained for trespassing on the DPRK border, KCNA reported on Friday. The 28-year-old Park was detained on the northern border of the country on Dec. 25, 2009. [Xinhua]

After conducting an investigation into 28-year-old Robert Park, who was detained on the northern border of the country on Dec. 25, 2009, the DPRK decided to "leniently forgive and release him," the KCNA report said.

The report said the decision was based on Park's "admission and sincere repentance of his wrongdoings."

The report said Park admitted he was taken in by "the false rumor spread by the Western countries," and said that all those he met in the DPRK treated him in a kind and gentlemanly manner and protected his rights.

He also reportedly said he would try to let those who misunderstand the DPRK know properly what he experienced here so they may have a correct understanding of it.

Park's detention came months after two American female journalists, who had been arrested for illegal entry and sentenced to 12 years of hard labor, were freed by the DPRK.

The two journalists flew back home together with former U.S. President Bill Clinton after he paid a 20-hour private visit to Pyongyang and met with the country's top leader Kim Jong Il.