Elderly American 'Held in N.Korea'

An elderly American is being held in North Korea, Kyodo News reported Wednesday citing diplomatic sources.

The news agency said his identity is not known but he is believed to be a tourist.

The South Korean government is trying to confirm the report, according to a spokesman.

Last year, Korean-American Kenneth Bae was arrested in the Rajin-Sonbong free economic zone of North Hamgyong Province and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for unspecified crimes against the regime.

The U.S. attempted to win Bae's release by sending Robert King, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, to the North, but the North denied King entry.

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