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N Korea 'to release Australian missionary' | N Korea 'to release Australian missionary' |
(35 minutes later) | |
North Korea has said it will release and deport an Australian missionary held since last month for allegedly distributing religious material. | |
John Short, 75, entered Pyongyang on a group tour and was detained after apparently leaving Christian pamphlets at a tourist site. | John Short, 75, entered Pyongyang on a group tour and was detained after apparently leaving Christian pamphlets at a tourist site. |
The North's state-run KCNA news agency said he had admitted breaking North Korean law and apologised. | The North's state-run KCNA news agency said he had admitted breaking North Korean law and apologised. |
It said he was being released partly in consideration of his age. | It said he was being released partly in consideration of his age. |
Religious activity is severely restricted in the North and missionaries have been arrested on many previous occasions. | Religious activity is severely restricted in the North and missionaries have been arrested on many previous occasions. |
"Short acknowledged that his actions were... unforgivable crimes in violation of our laws, offered an apology and begged for forgiveness," KCNA reported. | "Short acknowledged that his actions were... unforgivable crimes in violation of our laws, offered an apology and begged for forgiveness," KCNA reported. |
It also said that Mr Short had distributed religious material on a busy underground train in Pyongyang during a previous tour in August 2012. | It also said that Mr Short had distributed religious material on a busy underground train in Pyongyang during a previous tour in August 2012. |
Mr Short, who is based in Hong Kong, was arrested at his hotel in Pyongyang last month. | Mr Short, who is based in Hong Kong, was arrested at his hotel in Pyongyang last month. |
'Welcome news' | 'Welcome news' |
Australia's foreign ministry said last week it had no information on his whereabouts or the conditions in which he was being held. | Australia's foreign ministry said last week it had no information on his whereabouts or the conditions in which he was being held. |
Australia does not have a diplomatic mission in Pyongyang and is represented there by the Swedish embassy. | Australia does not have a diplomatic mission in Pyongyang and is represented there by the Swedish embassy. |
In a statement on Monday, the Australian government said Mr Short's release was "welcome news". | In a statement on Monday, the Australian government said Mr Short's release was "welcome news". |
"Australian consular officials stand ready to provide assistance to Mr Short to ensure he can return to his home in Hong Kong as soon as possible," it said. | |
"We take this opportunity to thank the Swedish government for their tireless efforts on this difficult consular case in recent weeks." | "We take this opportunity to thank the Swedish government for their tireless efforts on this difficult consular case in recent weeks." |
Last week, detained South Korean missionary Kim Jong-uk appeared before media in North Korea to read from a statement publicly apologising for "anti-state crimes". | Last week, detained South Korean missionary Kim Jong-uk appeared before media in North Korea to read from a statement publicly apologising for "anti-state crimes". |
Mr Kim, 50, who is a Baptist, said he was arrested after entering North Korea from China in October with religious material. | Mr Kim, 50, who is a Baptist, said he was arrested after entering North Korea from China in October with religious material. |
He said he was unsure of his punishment and asked to be released. | He said he was unsure of his punishment and asked to be released. |