Who Is Tony Kim? North Korea Has Detained A Korean-American University Professor
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On Sunday, The Wall Street Journal reported that North Korea had detained an American citizen at the Pyongyang international airport. According to CBS News, Tony Kim is one of three American citizens currently in North Korean custody.
It was not clear on Sunday if North Korean officials had confirmed Kim’s arrest, but the Swedish embassy in North Korea said that the incident occurred as Kim was trying to board a flight out of North Korea’s capital city. The Swedish embassy represents American interests in North Korea, since the U.S. does not formally maintain relations with Kim Jong-Un’s government.
It also wasn’t clear on Sunday exactly when the incident took place. CNBC reported that Kim was detained on Friday, while CNN and CBS News reported his arrest as occurring on Saturday. Also unknown were Kim’s charges, if any.
What is clear, though, is Kim’s reason for being in the controversial country. According to various media reports, Kim is a Korean-American professor who had been teaching accounting at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST). Kim, who is reportedly in his 50s, also goes by his Korean name, Kim Sang-duk.