North Korea’s state media on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of a US citizen who was lecturing in Pyongyang — the third American held in the country amid growing tensions with Washington.
Kim Sang-Duk, or Tony Kim, was arrested at the capital’s airport on April 22, for “committing criminal acts of hostility aimed to overturn the DPRK”, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, using the country’s official name.
Korean-American professor identified as Tony Kim (Kim Sang-duk) was detained at Pyongyang International Airport recently, reports Yonhap News Agency. Kim, who worked at Yanbian University of Science and Technology, was working on aid and relief projects in the North. Kim spent one month in North Korea to sort out the details of the programs.
North Korean authorities grabbed him at the airport as he was preparing to return home. The reason for his arrest remains unclear, as reports of his detention have yet to be officially verified.
The Swedish embassy in Pyongyang, which often serves as an informal intermediary between North Korea and other countries, said a Korean-American man was detained. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, as well as the unification ministry, have yet to confirm the reports.
