Third American held in N Korea appeals for help
3 Oct 2014 6:37 AM IST
Reclusive North Korea, which periodically accuses the United States of military hostility and conspiracy to overthrow its leadership, has held a number of U.S. citizens in the past, using them as tools to extract visits by high-profile figures, including former President Bill Clinton. Jeffrey Fowle, 56, from Miamisburg, Ohio, was arrested in May for leaving a copy of the Bible in the toilet of a sailor’s club in the northeastern city of Chongjin, where he was travelling as a tourist.
A pro-North Korea daily published in Japan, the Choson Sinbo, said Fowle secretly tried to circulate the Bible during the trip in Chongjin. His family has denied he was on a church mission.
‘It was my premeditated act that did not fit the purpose of my trip as a tourist,’ Fowle was quoted as saying, translated by the Choson Sinbo newspaper into Korean.
North Korea is considered one of the world’s most oppressive regimes in terms of religious freedom, although such freedom is technically guaranteed in its constitution. Washington has appealed for the release of the three Americans, two of whom have been convicted and sentenced to hard labour.‘I am anxious about the impending trial. I am just nervous, thinking that punishment will be given for the wrongdoing I have committed,’ Fowle said.
A pro-North Korea daily published in Japan, the Choson Sinbo, said Fowle secretly tried to circulate the Bible during the trip in Chongjin. His family has denied he was on a church mission.
‘It was my premeditated act that did not fit the purpose of my trip as a tourist,’ Fowle was quoted as saying, translated by the Choson Sinbo newspaper into Korean.
North Korea is considered one of the world’s most oppressive regimes in terms of religious freedom, although such freedom is technically guaranteed in its constitution. Washington has appealed for the release of the three Americans, two of whom have been convicted and sentenced to hard labour.‘I am anxious about the impending trial. I am just nervous, thinking that punishment will be given for the wrongdoing I have committed,’ Fowle said.
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