North Korea arrests American student on anti-state charges

(Baonghean.vn) - On January 22, North Korea's official news agency KCNA announced that the government had arrested an American student from the University of Virginia on charges of participating in activities hostile to the government.

In early January, CNN reported that North Korea was arresting an American citizen on espionage charges. Photo: AFP

KCNA said the man entered North Korea under the guise of a tourist and was arrested while engaging in “hostile activities against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.”

The KNCA accused the student of “permitting and orchestrating the actions of the US government.” The student is currently “the subject of an investigation” for “bringing the intention to cause national disunity” to North Korea.

Information about the arrest of an American citizen in North Korea was also confirmed by an employee of the US Embassy in Seoul. Previously, in early January, CNN reported that North Korea was arresting an American citizen on charges of espionage.

This incident continues to strain relations between Pyongyang and Washington, especially after Pyongyang announced the successful test of a hydrogen bomb – the country’s fourth nuclear bomb test on January 6. Currently, the parties are increasing diplomatic contact to discuss whether to impose new sanctions on the Pyongyang government or not.

Chu Thanh

(According to Le Monde)