LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7, 2010

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Missionary Held in N. Korea Back in U.S.

Korean-American Who Crossed Frozen River Into Communist Nation Returns After 43 Days in Custody

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  U.S. Missionary Robert Park sits in a car with his mother and father following his return to the U.S., at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday, Feb. 06, 2010. Park was detained in North Korea after crossing the border from China on Christmas Day. (AP Photo/David Zentz)

(AP) A Korean-American missionary who defiantly crossed a frozen river into North Korea intent on urging a change in its leadership has reunited with his overjoyed family, silent and downcast after 43 days in the communist nation's custody.

Robert Park, 28, wept as he left the flight from Beijing Saturday evening and met with his family, his brother said.

"Hugging him, there didn't seem to be anything broken," said Paul Park, who said he was speechless when he spotted his brother walking off the plane.

The greeting took place in a private location but the family spoke to reporters briefly as they left the airport. A thin and pale Park - who flew from Pyongyang to Beijing after North Korea announced Friday he would be freed - would not speak and kept his eyes downcast while Paul Park told reporters his brother is in good condition.

Robert Park, of Tucson, Arizona, crossed the frozen Tumen River from China into North Korea on Dec. 25, carrying letters calling on leader Kim Jong Il to close the country's notoriously brutal prison camps and step down from power. Those acts could have risked execution in the hardline communist country.

The family did not know Robert Park had planned to cross into North Korea until about 14 hours before he did it, Paul Park said. He said they were informed of the plan during an international phone call. He didn't specify any further.

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This was the second time in less than a year that an American has been held by North Korea, which doesn't have diplomatic ties with the U.S. Two female journalists were released in August with former President Bill Clinton's help after they were arrested at the border and sentenced to prison.

Last month, North Korea notified the U.S. that it has yet another American in custody for allegedly entering the country illegally. That person has not been identified by either Pyongyang or the U.S. State Department.

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Full article.
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Credits to SOS Hillary Clinton.

-- Edited by Sanders on Sunday 7th of February 2010 07:48:22 PM