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DIPLOMACY: An American prisoner of 85 years released from North Korea

 

Detained for over a month by the Pyongyang regime, Merrill Newman, an American citizen of 85 years, was expelled, Saturday, December 7, North Korea, reported the official news agency KCNA. Deportation done for humanitarian reasons, given "the recognition of the facts that he had made the apology he had presented his sincere repentance, his advanced age , and his health, "the agency said.

With heart problems, the man from California arrived in Beijing where he told Japanese journalists that he "felt good" and that he "wanted to go home him to find his wife. " 

Merrill Newman, former member of the U.S. Special Forces, was arrested because of "hostile acts", Oct. 26 aboard a flight from Pyongyang few minutes before takeoff, after entering North Korean territory "under the guise of a tourist", had indicated KCNA. Always according to the official news agency, Merrill Newman was accused of "defaming the socialist system [North Korea] so completely contrary to the purpose travel ".

North Korea also accused of being a criminal who took part in massacres of innocent civilians during the Korean War 1950-1953. During his detention, the prisoner had appeared on a videotape broadcast by the communist regime, in which he confessed his crimes and apologized.

"Positive decision"

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, welcomed this described as "positive" release from South Korea where he finished a tour Asia. "We are pleased that Mr. Merrill Newman was allowed to leave the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and rejoin his family," stated earlier door- Deputy State Department spokesman Marie Harf.

Washington, however, benefited from the release to recall the fate of another of its nationals on North Korean soil. "This positive decision of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea puts more light on the ongoing detention of Mr. Kenneth Bae, who has been imprisoned for over a year" , added the U.S. spokesman in a statement, referring to the case of an American of Korean descent, sentenced in May to 15 years of confinement for attempting to "overthrow" the system.

"We once again call upon the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to pardon Mr. Bae and grant special amnesty and immediate release as a humanitarian gesture, so he could also return to his own home, "said Ms. Harf, stating that" the government United States continue to work actively on this issue. "

With AFP and Reuters