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Merrill Newman: North Korea says detained American has confessed Merrill Newman: North Korea says detained American has confessed
(about 11 hours later)
North Korea has claimed an elderly US tourist detained for more than a month has apologised for alleged crimes during the Korean war in which he fought and for "hostile acts" against the state during a recent trip. North Korea has claimed that an elderly US tourist detained for more than a month has apologised for alleged crimes during the Korean war in which he fought and for "hostile acts" against the state during a recent trip.
There was no direct word from 85-year-old Merrill Newman, and his alleged apology, which was dated 9 November, could not be independently verified. Pyongyang has been accused in the past of coercing statements from detainees.There was no direct word from 85-year-old Merrill Newman, and his alleged apology, which was dated 9 November, could not be independently verified. Pyongyang has been accused in the past of coercing statements from detainees.
North Korean authorities released video showing Newman reading the apology. The statement, carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, said the war veteran allegedly attempted to meet with any surviving soldiers he had trained during the Korean War to fight North Korea, and that he admitted to killing civilians and brought with him an e-book criticising North Korea. North Korean authorities released video showing Newman reading the apology. He appeared wearing glasses, a blue button-down shirt and tan trousers. Pyongyang has previously been accused of coercing statements from detainees. There was no way to reach Newman and determine the circumstances of the alleged confession. But it was riddled with stilted English and grammatical errors, such as "I want not punish me".
It was not clear what would happen to Newman next. But the statement said he had undertaken to tell the truth about North Korea upon getting back to the US – a possible indication that he could be released. "I have been guilty of a long list of indelible crimes against DPRK government and Korean people," Newman purportedly wrote in a four-page statement, adding: "Please forgive me."
The apology could be seen as Pyongyang taking steps needed to release Newman, said Yoo Ho-Yeol, a professor of North Korea studies at Korea University in Seoul. North Korea likely issued the confession in the form of an apology to resolve Newman's case quickly without starting legal proceedings, Yoo said. The statement, carried in the North's official Korean Central News Agency, said the war veteran allegedly attempted to meet with any surviving soldiers he had trained during the Korean War to fight North Korea, and that he admitted to killing civilians and brought with him an e-book criticizing North Korea.
It wasn't clear what would happen to Newman now. But the statement alleges that Newman says if he goes back to the US he will tell the truth about the country – a possible indication that he could be released.
The apology can be seen as Pyongyang taking steps needed to release Newman, said Yoo Ho-Yeol, a professor of North Korea studies at Korea University in Seoul. North Korea likely issued the confession in the form of an apology to resolve Newman's case quickly without starting legal proceedings, Yoo said.
North Korea is extremely sensitive to any criticism and regularly accuses Washington and Seoul of seeking to overthrow its authoritarian system through various means – claims the US and South Korea dismiss. The US state department has repeatedly warned Americans against travelling to the country, citing the risk of arbitrary detention.North Korea is extremely sensitive to any criticism and regularly accuses Washington and Seoul of seeking to overthrow its authoritarian system through various means – claims the US and South Korea dismiss. The US state department has repeatedly warned Americans against travelling to the country, citing the risk of arbitrary detention.
Newman, an avid traveller and retired finance executive, was taken off a plane on 26 October by North Korean authorities while preparing to leave the country after a 10-day tour. His travelling companion seated next to him, neighbour and former Stanford University professor Bob Hamrdla, was allowed to depart.Newman, an avid traveller and retired finance executive, was taken off a plane on 26 October by North Korean authorities while preparing to leave the country after a 10-day tour. His travelling companion seated next to him, neighbour and former Stanford University professor Bob Hamrdla, was allowed to depart.
Newman's son, Jeffrey Newman, said his father had wanted to return to the country where he spent three years during the Korean war.Newman's son, Jeffrey Newman, said his father had wanted to return to the country where he spent three years during the Korean war.
North Korea has detained at least six Americans since 2009, including two journalists accused of trespassing and several Americans, some of whom are of Korean ancestry, accused of spreading Christianity. Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American missionary and tour operator, has been detained for more than a year. The North Korean sees missionary work as a western threat to its grip on power.North Korea has detained at least six Americans since 2009, including two journalists accused of trespassing and several Americans, some of whom are of Korean ancestry, accused of spreading Christianity. Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American missionary and tour operator, has been detained for more than a year. The North Korean sees missionary work as a western threat to its grip on power.
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