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North Korea detains third American | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
North Korea arrested an American tourist for inappropriate activities, the US has confirmed. | |
A report on the KCNA news agency said Jeffrey Edward Fowle had entered North Korea on 29 April, but was detained as he was leaving the country. | |
The report said he has been questioned but gave no more details. Japanese agency Kyodo said Mr Fowle was held because he left a Bible at a hotel. | |
North Korea is now holding three US citizens, according to US officials. | |
"We are aware that a US citizen has been detained by North Korea," US state department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters on Friday. | |
"We continue to actively seek the release of all three." | |
US-Korean missionary Kenneth Bae was arrested in November 2012 and is serving 15 years of hard labour after being convicted of trying to overthrow the government. | US-Korean missionary Kenneth Bae was arrested in November 2012 and is serving 15 years of hard labour after being convicted of trying to overthrow the government. |
In late April, KCNA said an American named Matthew Todd Miller had been taken into custody on 10 April. | In late April, KCNA said an American named Matthew Todd Miller had been taken into custody on 10 April. |
KCNA said he had torn up his tourist visa, shouting that he had "come to the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] after choosing it as a shelter". | KCNA said he had torn up his tourist visa, shouting that he had "come to the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] after choosing it as a shelter". |
North Korea uses the arrested Americans as diplomatic bargaining chips. | North Korea uses the arrested Americans as diplomatic bargaining chips. |
In the past, senior US figures including former President Bill Clinton have travelled to the country to ensure the release of American detainees. |