American tourist faces death penalty in North Korea

[AgingAmerican]

North Korea said Saturday that it would put a US citizen on trial for trying to overthrow the communist regime, in the face of soaring tensions between Pyongyang and the West.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Pae Jun-Ho had admitted to the charges and would soon face “judgment”.

...

Pae, who is believed to be a Korean-American tour operator, was arrested in November as he entered the northeastern port city of Rason.

KCNA said a “preliminary inquiry” had been completed.

“He admitted that he committed crimes aimed to topple the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) with hostility toward it. His crimes were proved by evidence.

“He will soon be taken to the Supreme Court of the DPRK to face judgment,” according to the report, which did not say what the charges were based on.

More here...

I can't imagine a tourist overthrowing a government. This is pretty absurd.

[MADem]

1. They'd probably trade him for a ton of rice. nt

[Nye Bevan]

2. That does it.

I'm definitely going to cross off "visit a repressive communist country and attempt to overthrow the regime" from the list of this year's vacation ideas for my family. Perhaps we will just go back to Cape Cod or Maine.

[jberryhill]

3. How about an amusement park?

[East Coast Pirate]

5. I've been lied to.

North Korea is fun place to live!

[AgingAmerican]

4. +99