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N. Korea Confirms American Detained

Missionary Robert Park held for entering country illegally

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 29, 2009 1:25 AM CST | Updated Dec 29, 2009 1:54 AM CST
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(AP) – North Korean officials have confirmed that a Korean-American activist has been detained for entering the country illegally. Missionary Robert Park, 28, traveled to the communist nation to call attention to the regime's human rights abuses, according to supporters. The Arizona resident slipped across a frozen river into the country from China on Christmas Day carrying a letter calling on Kim Jong-Il to shut down North Korea's political prison camps.

Park's uncle was heartened by North Korea's confirmation that officials are holding the young missionary. "My fear was that they'd say they don't know anything about it and may get rid of him secretly," he told the AP. "Once they recognize it, that's really good."

US missionary Robert Park prays for North Korean political prisoners at a protest in Seoul, South Korea earlier this month.
US missionary Robert Park prays for North Korean political prisoners at a protest in Seoul, South Korea earlier this month.   (Seo Suk-gu)
US missionary Robert Park, a 28-year-old Korean-American who crossed the frozen Tumen River into North Korea from China on Christmas Day, is seen in a rally in Seoul, South Korea.
US missionary Robert Park, a 28-year-old Korean-American who crossed the frozen Tumen River into North Korea from China on Christmas Day, is seen in a rally in Seoul, South Korea.   ((AP Photo/ Freedom and Life for All North Koreans))
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
thekeepitrealman
Jan 1, 2010 10:20 AM CST
I have no pity or empathy for him. The man knowingly crossed the border, illegally, into a hostile, but sovereign nation. Make your point another way, man.
Count-Spatula
Dec 29, 2009 9:57 AM CST
Why are Korean immigrants so susceptible to Christiian lunacy?
Kookey90
Dec 29, 2009 9:52 AM CST
Forget about everyone else, Mr. Robert Park had better start doing some serious praying for himself effective immediately. On the bight side now's a good time for him to find out if his prayers will actually be answered.

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North Korea • missionary • Christian missionaries • Kim Jong Il • Robert Park

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