Third U.S. citizen detained in North Korea: sources
SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- A former Korean-American professor was arrested in North Korea last week, becoming the third U.S. citizen to be detained by the communist country as of late, according to sources Sunday.
The U.S. citizen, identified only by his surname Kim, was arrested by North Korean authorities on Friday at Pyongyang International Airport on his way out of the country, said the sources, who asked not to be named.
Kim, a former professor at the Yanbian University of Science and Technology in his late 50s, has been engaged in aid and relief programs to North Korea.
He reportedly was in the North for about a month to discuss relief activities. The reason for his arrest was not clear.
The detainment is the latest in a series of American nationals being arrested in North Korea. Two other U.S. citizens -- college student Otto Warmbier and Korean-American pastor Kim Dong-chul -- are also currently detained in the North after being sentenced to long prison terms for what Pyongyang calls subversive acts against the country.
Ahn Chan-il, director of the World North Korea Research Center in Seoul, said that the North "seems to be intending to use professor Kim as leverage in negotiations" amid the current bad relations between the two countries.
The National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency, said it "was not aware" of Kim's arrest.
Since 2009, over 10 U.S. citizens have been detained in North Korea on charges of anti-state and other unspecified crimes. The widespread view has been that Pyongyang uses the detentions as bargaining chips in its negotiations with Washington.
odissy@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Overdue debut of Korean abstract art pioneer Yoo Young-kuk at Venice Biennale
-
Relax, immerse yourself in scents at Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
Ex-Justice Minister Cho slams Yoon's statement on crushing election defeat
-
Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
-
Overdue debut of Korean abstract art pioneer Yoo Young-kuk at Venice Biennale
-
Relax, immerse yourself in scents at Venice Biennale's Korean Pavilion
-
Artist Lee Bae captures ethereal Korean aesthetics at Venice Biennale
-
S. Korea marks 30th anniv. of Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale with contemporary art
-
(LEAD) Presidential office denies Moon aides under consideration for PM, chief of staff
-
(LEAD) N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drill
-
Hybe says spinoff attempt by subsidiary label revealed clearly
-
Hybe launches audit into NewJeans' label ADOR over alleged independence move
-
N. Korea says Kim guided simulated nuclear counterattack drills for 1st time
-
(LEAD) N. Korea fires several short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS