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American Faces Charges in North Korea North Korea Is Expected To Indict An American
(about 3 hours later)
SEOUL, South Korea — An American tour operator who crossed into North Korea from China last year is facing indictment on charges that he carried out hostile acts against the North’s government, the Korean Central News Agency said on Saturday. SEOUL, South Korea — An American tour operator is facing indictment in North Korea on charges that he tried to overthrow the government there, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday.
The tour operator, Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American who lived in Washington State, traveled with a group of businessmen in November from Yanji, China, to the North Korean Special Economic Zone of Rason, where he was arrested. The announcement could complicate Washington’s difficult diplomatic balancing act as it tries to hold a tough line with North Korea over its nuclear program while avoiding any confrontations that could lead to an armed conflict.
His detention comes as American relations with North Korea have worsened considerably in recent months over the North’s detonation of a nuclear device and missile testing. The tour operator, Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American from Washington State, traveled with a group of businessmen in November from Yanji, China, to the North Korean special economic zone of Rason, where he was arrested. The news report on Saturday said that the North had already finished its investigation and that Mr. Bae had admitted his guilt to charges that could draw the death penalty.
North Korea has often used the plight of detained Americans as a bargaining chip in its dealings with Washington. In January, Bill Richardson, the former American ambassador to the United Nations, tried to see Mr. Bae but was rebuffed. Mr. Bae is the sixth American detained by North Korea since 2009, but he is facing the gravest charges. North Korea, a police state, has often used the plight of detained Americans as a bargaining chip in its dealings with Washington. Some were freed only after former American presidents traveled to the North. Mr. Bae is the sixth American detained by North Korea since 2009, but he is facing the gravest charges.
During investigations, Mr. Bae “admitted his criminal plot to overthrow our republic out of hostility,” the North Korean news agency said. It added that his crime was “clearly substantiated by evidence.” In January, Bill Richardson, a former American ambassador to the United Nations, tried to see Mr. Bae during a private trip to the North, but he said he was rebuffed by the government.
Under the North’s criminal code, the maximum punishment for such a crime is the death penalty. The Associated Press, which has a bureau in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, previously quoted a North Korean official as saying that Mr. Bae faced harsh punishment and possibly the death penalty over the accusations of trying to overthrow the government. In its announcement, the Korean Central News Agency said that Mr. Bae had “admitted his criminal plot to overthrow our republic out of hostility.” It added that his crime had been “clearly substantiated by evidence.”
The North Korean news agency did not say when Mr. Bae’s trial would be held. North Korea said the criminal investigation in the case was over. Under the criminal code of North Korea, prosecutors are required to file their formal indictment within 10 days of the completion of the investigation. Then a court rules on the case within 25 days. The maximum punishment for such a crime is death. The Associated Press, which has a bureau in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, previously quoted a North Korean official as saying that Mr. Bae possibly faced the death penalty.
The accused in the North have only a single chance to appeal their verdict. But North Korea indicated on Saturday that Mr. Bae would not be allowed such a chance because his case was handled directly by the country’s supreme court. The Korean Central News Agency did not say when Mr. Bae’s trial would begin. Under North Korea’s criminal code, prosecutors are required to file a formal indictment within 10 days of the completion of an investigation. A court then rules on the case within 25 days.
In December, when North Korea officially confirmed Mr. Bae’s detention, it said he was arrested on charges of committing “hostile acts” against North Korea, a lesser crime than a plot to “overthrow” the county. It said he had been allowed to meet with officials from the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang, which intervenes on Washington’s behalf on issues involving American citizens in North Korea. Washington has no diplomatic ties with North Korea. North Korea indicated on Saturday that Mr. Bae would not be allowed to appeal, if convicted, because his case is being handled directly by the supreme court.
In December, when North Korea officially confirmed Mr. Bae’s detention, it said he had been arrested on charges of committing “hostile acts” against the North, a lesser crime than plotting to overthrow the government.
Some foreign businessmen and tourists are allowed to visit the impoverished country, which is trying to lure investment and bring in hard currency.
In 2009, North Korea arrested two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who it said had entered the country illegally and committed “hostile acts.” They were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor, but were released five months later, after former President Bill Clinton visited Pyongyang and met with Kim Jong-il, the leader at the time.
In 2010, another American, Aijalon Mahli Gomes, was arrested and sentenced to eight years of hard labor for illegal entry and “hostile acts.” He was freed when former President Jimmy Carter visited Pyongyang.