US tourist caught trying to swim to North Korea
A US tourist has been detained in South Korea after apparently trying to swim across a river to get into North Korea.
The man was picked up on the banks of the Han River in a restricted military zone on the South Korean side of the border.
"A male American citizen was arrested last night while attempting to swim across the river to North Korea," a defence ministry spokesman said.
The man told military investigators he planned to go to North Korea to meet leader Kim Jong Un, according to a news report by Yonhap news agency.
The US embassy in Seoul has made contact with South Korean authorities about the incident.
"We do not have any additional information to share at this time but we have been in touch with the appropriate South Korean authorities regarding the reports," said embassy spokeswoman Nida Emmons.
North Korea has three American nationals in detention — Kenneth Bae, Jeffrey Fowle and Matthew Miller.
This week Miller was sentenced to six years’ hard labor for espionage, after allegedly ripping up his tourist visa.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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