North Korea has confirmed its arrest of an American man over an unspecified alleged crime against the country and said it is preparing to indict him.
North Korea's state news agency said the man, named Yun Young Su, was arrested in November and has confessed to his crime.
Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department said a U.S.citizen was detained in North Korea and called on the communist state to release him on humanitarian grounds.
The man is the latest U.S. citizen to be detained in North Korea in recent years.
Since 2009, two former U.S. presidents -- Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter -- have traveled to Pyongyang to secure the release of detained Americans.
The latest arrest comes as Carter plans to travel to North Korea on a private visit later this month.
The United States -- which fought on South Korea's side in the 1950-53 Korean war -- and North Korea have no diplomatic relations.
compiled from agency reports
North Korea's state news agency said the man, named Yun Young Su, was arrested in November and has confessed to his crime.
Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department said a U.S.citizen was detained in North Korea and called on the communist state to release him on humanitarian grounds.
The man is the latest U.S. citizen to be detained in North Korea in recent years.
Since 2009, two former U.S. presidents -- Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter -- have traveled to Pyongyang to secure the release of detained Americans.
The latest arrest comes as Carter plans to travel to North Korea on a private visit later this month.
The United States -- which fought on South Korea's side in the 1950-53 Korean war -- and North Korea have no diplomatic relations.
compiled from agency reports