North Korea Releases South Korean Man Held For Six Weeks For Allegedly Entering The Country Illegally
North Korea has released a South Korean man on Tuesday after being held for six weeks for allegedly entering the country illegally. ABC News reported Tuesday that the South Korean man is currently under investigation regarding the accusation.
An official from South Korea's Unification Ministry revealed that the South Korean national with be asked over why he crossed to North Korea without permission from the government.
Reports have revealed that the South Korean man with surname Lee crossed the North from China on September 30. Following the incident, the 48-year-old South Korean man was arrested and detained by the North Korean officials.
The unnamed official of Unification Ministry also revealed that the North Korea did not provide further details on the incident of Lee's unlawful entry in the country. However, Pyongyang said it will free and return the South Korean national as a humanitarian gesture.
Further reports have revealed that the North Korean returned Lee to his hometown through Panmunjom village which is located north of the de facto border between the two Koreas.
Reuters noted Tuesday that Lee's release came after reports on United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon's reported plan to visit North Korea emerged.
On the other hand, the North Korea has also freed a 21-year-old South Korean college student last month after being held for six months for allegedly entering the country illegally from China.
In addition, the North Korea also returned a South Korean married couple in June who were accused for allegedly entering the country illegally.
According to reports, three South Koreans remained in the custody of the North Korea for crossing the country without permission. Two of which emerged on North Korean media and reportedly admitted they have entered the country to spy for South Korea, while the other one is a South Korean Christian missionary.