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NYU student detained in N. Korea hopes for release

July 14, 2015

Joo Won-moon, a South Korean student at New York University, is interviewed at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Joo, who is being detained in North Korea says he hopes to be released soon and has told his family not to worry too much about him. Joo was presented to the media in North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kim Kwang Hyon)

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — A South Korean student from New York University who is being detained in North Korea for allegedly entering the country illegally said Tuesday that he hopes to be released soon.

Joo Won-moon, who was presented to the media in North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, also said he was being treated well and asked his family not to worry too much about him.

He acknowledged breaking North Korean laws, but such admissions are often recanted by detainees after they’re set free. Detainees are also often coached ahead of time by North Korean officials as to what to say.

Joo, 21, who has permanent resident status in the United States, was arrested in April for allegedly entering North Korea illegally across the Chinese border.

“I would like to tell my family I’m healthy, I hope to be home soon and to tell them not to worry too much,” Joo said.

It is not known whether the North intends to put him on trial or if he could simply be expelled from the country.

Joo did not explain why he tried to enter North Korea. North Korean media have reported that he was arrested on April 22 when he illegally crossed the Amnok River from the Chinese border town of Dandong.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry released a statement denouncing North Korea for presenting Joo in a news conference after ignoring the South’s demands for his release. The ministry repeated its demand for the quick release of Joo and other South Koreans detained in North Korea, including a pastor who has been held in the country since 2013 and two men who were sentenced to life in prison last month on charges of spying for the South.

After Joo’s arrest, a spokesman for New York University confirmed that he was a junior at NYU’s Stern School of Business, but that he was not taking classes this semester and that the university was unaware of his travels. He said the university was in touch with the U.S. State Department and the South Korean Embassy.

The appearance by Joo on Tuesday came as South Korea announced it had sent back two North Korean fishermen who were rescued from South Korean waters earlier this month.