North Korea Detains American Businessman

The State Department confirmed Tuesday an American businessman has been detained in North Korea. The identity of the man and details on his arrest were not released. Sources say the man had a visa to enter North Korea. U.S. officials have called for the man’s immediate release on humanitarian grounds.

"I don't have any details on what this individual was doing in North Korea. But we would call on the government of North Korea to release this citizen on humanitarian grounds. And we would ask that they respect and treat this citizen in a manner consistent with international human rights law," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

The Swedish Embassy, which represents U.S. interests in North Korea, is assisting in the situation and has visited the man.

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