North Korea has deported a United States veteran of the Korean War who had been detained in the country since October.
State news agency KCNA said Merrill Newman was expelled on “humanitarian grounds” after confessing to “crimes” in the 1950-53 war and “apologizing.”
BBC reports that Mr. Newman, 85, had been held on charges of “hostile acts” against the North, while visiting as a tourist.
The U.S State Department has welcomed the decision to free Mr. Newman, who has now arrived in Beijing.
“We are pleased that Mr. Merrill Newman has been allowed to depart the DPRK (North Korea) and re-join his family. We welcome the DPRK’s decision to release him,” said Marie Harf, a State Department spokeswoman.
“I’m very glad to be on my way home,” Mr. Newman told Japanese reporters after he arrived in the Chinese capital, Reuters news agency said.
“And I appreciate the tolerance the DPRK government has given to me to be on my way. I feel good, I feel good. I want to go home to see my wife.”
Last week, KCNA said Mr. Newman had ordered the deaths of North Korean soldiers and civilians in the Korean War.
Although Mr. Newman did serve during the Korean War, his family said he is the victim of mistaken identity.
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