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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| North Korea 'to free US activist' | North Korea 'to free US activist' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| North Korea is to release a US man arrested and held since December for illegally entering the country, state news agency KCNA has said. | North Korea is to release a US man arrested and held since December for illegally entering the country, state news agency KCNA has said. |
| Religious activist Robert Park crossed into the country from China by walking across a frozen river late last year. | Religious activist Robert Park crossed into the country from China by walking across a frozen river late last year. |
| KCNA reports that the North Korean authorities have decided to "forgive and release" Mr Park, who was reported to have admitted his mistake. | KCNA reports that the North Korean authorities have decided to "forgive and release" Mr Park, who was reported to have admitted his mistake. |
| He had reportedly wanted to highlight human rights issues in North Korea. | He had reportedly wanted to highlight human rights issues in North Korea. |
| "The relevant organ of the DPRK (North Korea) decided to leniently forgive and release him, taking his admission and sincere repentance of his wrong doings into consideration," KCNA said. | "The relevant organ of the DPRK (North Korea) decided to leniently forgive and release him, taking his admission and sincere repentance of his wrong doings into consideration," KCNA said. |
| Mr Park, a US citizen of Korean ancestry from Tucson, Arizona, entered North Korea on foot, walking across the frozen Tumen River on 24 or 25 December last year. | Mr Park, a US citizen of Korean ancestry from Tucson, Arizona, entered North Korea on foot, walking across the frozen Tumen River on 24 or 25 December last year. |
| According to his associates, 28-year-old Mr Park claimed he had seen a vision from God of North Korea's liberation and redemption. | According to his associates, 28-year-old Mr Park claimed he had seen a vision from God of North Korea's liberation and redemption. |
| They said he had walked across the border shouting: "I am an American citizen. I brought God's love. God loves you and God bless you." | They said he had walked across the border shouting: "I am an American citizen. I brought God's love. God loves you and God bless you." |
| 'False interview' | 'False interview' |
| South Korean activists supporting Mr Park said he carried a letter urging the North's leader, Kim Jong-Il, to free political prisoners and improve human rights in the communist state. | South Korean activists supporting Mr Park said he carried a letter urging the North's leader, Kim Jong-Il, to free political prisoners and improve human rights in the communist state. |
| Mr Park is now reported to have confessed that he crossed the border because his view of North Korea was based on false western propaganda, and that he now realises that religious freedom is fully ensured. | Mr Park is now reported to have confessed that he crossed the border because his view of North Korea was based on false western propaganda, and that he now realises that religious freedom is fully ensured. |
| Christian activists in South Korea have already said that they suspect his confession - made in an interview with KCNA - is false, or was made under duress. | |
| The BBC's John Sudworth, in Seoul, says that if North Korea fulfils its promise Mr Park will be the third US citizen released in recent months. | The BBC's John Sudworth, in Seoul, says that if North Korea fulfils its promise Mr Park will be the third US citizen released in recent months. |
| In 2009, North Korea detained two US journalists on the border with China. | In 2009, North Korea detained two US journalists on the border with China. |
| Laura Ling and Euna Lee were sentenced to 12 years' hard labour but were freed as part of a diplomatic mission spearheaded by former US President Bill Clinton in August after four months in captivity. | Laura Ling and Euna Lee were sentenced to 12 years' hard labour but were freed as part of a diplomatic mission spearheaded by former US President Bill Clinton in August after four months in captivity. |