Sunday 28 April 2013

N. Korea charges U.S. man: Kenneth Bae could face death penalty

N. Korea charges U.S. man: Kenneth Bae could face death penalty, after detaining him for six months. Kenneth Bae was charged with trying to overthrow the government, and he could face the death penalty. CBS News shared the details on April 27.

The details behind Bae's detainment and charges have not been fully detailed. He has been in the custody of North Korea since early November. Kenneth Bae is a Korean American, and he is described as a tour operator. The North Korean government refers to him as Pae Jun Ho, the North Korean spelling of his Korean name.

The Central News Agency there claims that he admitted he committed crimes that were designed to “topple the DPRK with hostility toward it.” They further claim that there is evidence for his crimes, and he will face their Supreme Court for judgment. There is no indication of when this will happen.

Kenneth Bae is from Washington state, but has been based in Dalian on the Chinese border. Reports indicate he frequently went to North Korea to feed orphans of the country. It seems his detainment is now a bargaining chip for the North Korean government to use in the midst of tense relations with the U.S. and their allies.

The North Koreans charging the U.S. man leave many gravely concerned for his welfare. There is no indication as of yet whether the United States will be able to intervene and get him back on friendly soil.

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