Summary: On Monday, Korean-American missionary Kenneth Bae appeared at a news conference to ask the US to aid with his release from a North Korean jail. Bae has been serving a fifteen year sentence of hard labor after being arrested and convicted in November 2012 for trying to build a convert proselytizing operation. Although North Korea officially states that it guarantees religious freedom, the government has been known to crack down on those practicing Christian beliefs. Seven Americans have been detained/jailed in North Korea since 2009 but Bae has been held the longest out of any of them. In December, North Korea freed American Merrill Newman, an 85 year old Korean War veteran who was visiting the country.
Analysis: It's sad that this man has been sentenced to hard labor just for trying to spread his religion to others, especially when the country "officially" states that citizens are guaranteed religious freedom. The article also stated that Bae had been able to see his mother once last year and has also been allowed to write occasional letters to his family, but I don't think that's enough. I hope that he is freed soon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/world/asia/missionary-jailed-in-north-korea-asks-us-to-help-free-him.html?hp&_r=0
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