American Missionary Is Believed Held by North Korea
Tom Kavanagh
Morning Editor
Posted:
12/29/09
An Arizona man intent upon bringing a message of "Christ's love" to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is apparently in custody after entering the communist nation on Christmas Eve.
CNN reports that the U.S. State Department has not been able to confirm Park's detention but is investigating. Because the U.S. has no diplomatic relations with North Korea, efforts are being channeled through the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang.
Earlier this year, two American journalists who had been arrested along the North Korean-Chinese border were released after a meeting between Kim and former President Bill Clinton.
The state-run Korea Central News Agency said that an American was arrested after entering North Korea from China and is "now under investigation by a relevant organ." It did not identify him, but the man is believed to be Robert Park, a 28-year-old Korean-American missionary who posted his intentions on a Web site earlier this month.
CNN reports that the U.S. State Department has not been able to confirm Park's detention but is investigating. Because the U.S. has no diplomatic relations with North Korea, efforts are being channeled through the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang.
Earlier this year, two American journalists who had been arrested along the North Korean-Chinese border were released after a meeting between Kim and former President Bill Clinton.