N. Korea deports elderly American
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 7 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, N. Korea deports elderly American, 7 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e659ad14.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 07, 2013
North Korea has deported a U.S. veteran of the 1950-53 Korean War who had been detained in the North since October.
Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old from California, had been accused by North Korean authorities of being responsible for "hostile acts" against the communist-led state.
The official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday that Newman was deported for "humanitarian" reasons.
The report cited what it described as Newman's "sincere repentance," as well as his age and health.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Newman had arrived in China. Biden spoke on a visit to U.S. ally South Korea.
The U.S. State Department welcomed the Newman's release and called on the North to also free another detained American, Kenneth Bae, who has been sentenced to 15 years' hard labor on charges of seeking to topple the government.
Based on reports from AFP and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
