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North Korea 'detains US tourist' at immigration | North Korea 'detains US tourist' at immigration |
(35 minutes later) | |
North Korea has detained a 24-year-old US tourist, reportedly for "rash behaviour" at immigration, the state news agency says. | North Korea has detained a 24-year-old US tourist, reportedly for "rash behaviour" at immigration, the state news agency says. |
KCNA news agency said the American, named "Miller Matthew Todd", 24, had been taken into custody on 10 April. | KCNA news agency said the American, named "Miller Matthew Todd", 24, had been taken into custody on 10 April. |
This was due to "his rash behaviour in the course of going through formalities for entry" into North Korea, it added. | This was due to "his rash behaviour in the course of going through formalities for entry" into North Korea, it added. |
The news was released as US President Barack Obama held talks with his South Korean counterpart on his Asia tour. | The news was released as US President Barack Obama held talks with his South Korean counterpart on his Asia tour. |
'Gross violation' | |
KCNA said Mr Todd had torn up his tourist visa, shouting that he had "come to the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) after choosing it as a shelter". | KCNA said Mr Todd had torn up his tourist visa, shouting that he had "come to the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) after choosing it as a shelter". |
The agency said such an action constituted a "gross violation" of North Korean law. | |
No reason was given for the two-week delay in the announcement of his detention. There was no immediate reaction from Washington. | |
The US has no ties with Pyongyang, with the Swedish embassy usually acting on its behalf in cases involving US citizens. | |
North Korea is currently holding US-Korean missionary Kenneth Bae, who was arrested in November 2012. | North Korea is currently holding US-Korean missionary Kenneth Bae, who was arrested in November 2012. |
He is serving 15 years of hard labour after being convicted of trying to overthrow the government. | He is serving 15 years of hard labour after being convicted of trying to overthrow the government. |
Efforts from Washington to secure Mr Bae's release have so far been unsuccessful. | |
Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old US national, was briefly held by North Korea last year. | |
He was freed after confessing to committing crimes during the Korean War - a statement he said was given under duress. | |
US President Obama earlier said America stood "shoulder to shoulder" with South Korea over North Korean provocation. | US President Obama earlier said America stood "shoulder to shoulder" with South Korea over North Korean provocation. |
He spoke after holding talks with South Korean leader Park Geun-hye. | He spoke after holding talks with South Korean leader Park Geun-hye. |