Asia-Pacific
Missionary who was held in DPRK arrives in US
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-07 10:12
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 American missionary Robert Park is seen inside a vehicle after arriving at the Beijing Capital Airport, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. [Agencies] |
The plane carrying Robert Park had landed at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), an unidentified LAX official confirmed.
The 28-year-old Park was detained for trespassing the DPRK border with China in December last year.
Park flew from the Chinese capital of Beijing where he made a stopover Friday night after being freed by DPRK authorities. He was escorted by US consular officials after he left a DPRK plane at Beijing's airport, according to press reports.
After conducting an investigation, the DPRK decided to "leniently forgive and release him," the DPRK's KCNA news agency reported on Friday.
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 US President Bill Clinton after he paid a 20-hour private visit to Pyongyang and met with the country's top leader Kim Jong Il.
DPRK decides to release American trespasser
Second US citizen being held in DPRK
