May 29, 2011

  • released!

     It seems like every time we get someone out of NorKor, it is a different person who accomplishes it; Clinton, Carter and now Robert King.  Maybe Kim Jong Il is just trying to see how many former presidents and diplomats he can meet.

    Zhang Li/AP
    In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, Robert King, left, U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, and U.S. citizen Eddie Jun, right, prepare to leave Pyongyang, North Korea, on Saturday May 28, 2011. The American held by North Korea for a half year reportedly for proselytizing is returning to the United States, brought out by the U.S. envoy who negotiated his release.
     
    North Korea released an American who had been imprisoned there for six months, reportedly on charges of proselytizing, which is illegal in the communist country.

    Jun Young Su, of Orange County, California was freed on "humanitarian grounds' after a visit from U.S. envoy Robert King. Jun arrived in Beijing on Saturday.

    "We are very happy to report that Mr. Jun, the American citizen being held in Pyongyang has been released,' King said. "We are also delighted that in a day or two he will be back with his wife and family.'

    Jun, who is in his 60s, was arrested last November and admitted committing a crime "against the state.' Local media reported he was in the country on a valid business visa but had been doing missionary work.

    Jun's release comes after top U.S. officials, including former President Jimmy Carter asked North Korean authorities to free him.

    King was traveling in the country this week to evaluate North Korea’s pleas for food aid. It was the first official U.S. visit to the country since 2009 and comes as the U.S. may be looking to revive talks about North Korea’s nuclear program.

    Meanwhile, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il wrapped up a secret visit to China, his third trip to Asia’s biggest economy in just over a year.

    ashahid@nydailynews.com

justgotspaid

May 2011
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