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Australian student arrested in North Korea, reports say Australian student Alek Sigley feared detained in North Korea
(32 minutes later)
Australia says it is "urgently" seeking to confirm reports that an Australian man has been detained in North Korea.Australia says it is "urgently" seeking to confirm reports that an Australian man has been detained in North Korea.
The family of Alek Sigley, a 29-year-old student living in Pyongyang, could not confirm if he had been arrested, but said he had not been in touch with them since Tuesday.The family of Alek Sigley, a 29-year-old student living in Pyongyang, could not confirm if he had been arrested, but said he had not been in touch with them since Tuesday.
Australian officials were trying to confirm his situation, his family said.Australian officials were trying to confirm his situation, his family said.
The government has described it as a "very serious set of circumstances".The government has described it as a "very serious set of circumstances".
Representatives in South Korea had contacted "relevant officials" in North Korea, one minister said.Representatives in South Korea had contacted "relevant officials" in North Korea, one minister said.
"It has not been confirmed that Alek has been detained in the DPRK," his family said in a statement on Thursday."It has not been confirmed that Alek has been detained in the DPRK," his family said in a statement on Thursday.
"The situation is that Alek has not been in digital contact with friends and family since Tuesday morning Australian time, which is unusual for him.""The situation is that Alek has not been in digital contact with friends and family since Tuesday morning Australian time, which is unusual for him."
It is not known why Mr Sigley, an Asian scholar and fluent Korean speaker, might have been detained. His friends had reported him missing earlier this week, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.It is not known why Mr Sigley, an Asian scholar and fluent Korean speaker, might have been detained. His friends had reported him missing earlier this week, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Who is Alek Sigley?Who is Alek Sigley?
Originally from Perth, Mr Sigley has been living in North Korea for the past year while pursuing a master's degree in Korean literature at Kim Il-sung University.Originally from Perth, Mr Sigley has been living in North Korea for the past year while pursuing a master's degree in Korean literature at Kim Il-sung University.
He has also run a business providing tours for Western tourists visiting the totalitarian, communist state. He first visited in 2012 in the first of several trips, his family said.He has also run a business providing tours for Western tourists visiting the totalitarian, communist state. He first visited in 2012 in the first of several trips, his family said.
In March, he described himself as "the only Australian living in North Korea" in a piece published by The Guardian.In March, he described himself as "the only Australian living in North Korea" in a piece published by The Guardian.
He said he had become interested in living in North Korea after meeting some citizens while studying in China.He said he had become interested in living in North Korea after meeting some citizens while studying in China.
"As a long-term foreign resident on a student visa, I have nearly unprecedented access to Pyongyang," he wrote."As a long-term foreign resident on a student visa, I have nearly unprecedented access to Pyongyang," he wrote.
"I'm free to wander around the city, without anyone accompanying me.""I'm free to wander around the city, without anyone accompanying me."
Last year, he told Sky News that as a Westerner living in the oppressive regime, he had "never felt threatened" despite some high-profile cases involving foreigners.Last year, he told Sky News that as a Westerner living in the oppressive regime, he had "never felt threatened" despite some high-profile cases involving foreigners.
Have foreigners been detained before?Have foreigners been detained before?
Several foreigners have previously been detained in North Korea, sometimes for illegally entering the country or for what Pyongyang terms "hostile criminal acts against the state".Several foreigners have previously been detained in North Korea, sometimes for illegally entering the country or for what Pyongyang terms "hostile criminal acts against the state".
In 2014, Australian John Short was detained and deported after apparently leaving Christian pamphlets at a tourist site.In 2014, Australian John Short was detained and deported after apparently leaving Christian pamphlets at a tourist site.
Religious activity is severely restricted in the North and missionaries have been arrested on many occasions.Religious activity is severely restricted in the North and missionaries have been arrested on many occasions.
US student Otto Warmbier was jailed in North Korea in 2016 for stealing a propaganda sign during an organised tour.US student Otto Warmbier was jailed in North Korea in 2016 for stealing a propaganda sign during an organised tour.
He spent 17 months in detention, and later died days after he was returned to the US in a coma.He spent 17 months in detention, and later died days after he was returned to the US in a coma.
North Korea denied mistreating the 22-year-old student, but his parents insist his death in July 2017 was the consequence of torture.North Korea denied mistreating the 22-year-old student, but his parents insist his death in July 2017 was the consequence of torture.
The UN has criticised North Korea's record on human rights, saying citizens in the totalitarian state live under "systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations".The UN has criticised North Korea's record on human rights, saying citizens in the totalitarian state live under "systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations".
Despite recent historic meetings with the US and South Korea, North Korea remains isolated from the world due to tensions over its nuclear ambitions.Despite recent historic meetings with the US and South Korea, North Korea remains isolated from the world due to tensions over its nuclear ambitions.
Like many other Western nations, Australia does not have an embassy in North Korea. It has limited diplomatic access through the Swedish embassy.Like many other Western nations, Australia does not have an embassy in North Korea. It has limited diplomatic access through the Swedish embassy.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison is currently in Osaka, Japan where he is due to meet other world leaders at the G20 Summit.Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison is currently in Osaka, Japan where he is due to meet other world leaders at the G20 Summit.