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3 Americans Held in North Korea Appeal for US Help

September 01, 2014

by VOA News

Three American citizens being held prisoners in North Korea have called on the U.S. to send a high-ranking representative to secure their release.

During surprise five-minute interviews in Pyongyang Monday, Kenneth Bae, Matthew Miller and Jeffrey Fowle all called for a high profile U.S. representative to visit North Korea and make a direct appeal for their release.

State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said there was no greater priority that the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad. She said the State Department was aware of Monday's developments and called on North Korea to release the Americans. She asked Pyongyong to pardon Bae and grant him amnesty so he can return home and receive medical care.

She said the Embassy of Sweden in Pyongyang has visited all three U.S. citizens and has been in touch with the U.S. government.

In previous cases involving Americans, they were released after visits by high-profile former U.S. officials.

Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling were were freed in 2009 during a special humanitarian visit by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

The U.S. this year tried to send an senior diplomatic envoy to secure the released of Bae. But Pyongyang later canceled the visit.

The CNN crew was on a government tour Monday when authorities suddenly loaded them into a van and drove them to a secret location for the surprise interviews. The Associated Press has not said how much time it was given before conducting the interviews.

Bae, who is serving a 15-year sentence, said he works eight hours a day, six days a week at a labor camp and is being treated humanely.

During his interview, Miller said he has not yet been tried and will not learn what the charges against him are until his hearing. Fowle said he has no complaints about his treatment.

North Korea sentenced Bae to 15 years of hard labor in April 2013 for “hostile acts” against the regime in Pyongyang. The Christian missionary was arrested while leading a group of tourists in the northern city of Rason.

Miller allegedly tore up his visa on his arrival in Pyongyang April 10 and demanded asylum. Fowle, who entered North Korea April 29, is accused of perpetrating activities that violate North Korean law. Diplomatic sources have said he left a Bible in his hotel room.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.