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Korean-American missionary Robert Park defiantly walked into North Korea on Christmas Day in 2009 to draw attention to the North's alleged human rights abuses and to call for the resignation of leader Kim Jong Il. He was released weeks later without charge. Also in 2009, journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee were arrested for trespassing and released only after former President Bill Clinton made a trip to Pyongyang to ask for their freedom. The latest arrest came as Carter plans to travel to Pyongyang again as early as this month. Carter said last week that he plans to focus on trying to revive international disarmament talks on the North's nuclear program and seek ways to help with the country's humanitarian woes. The North appears to want to use the latest detention to improve ties with the United States, said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the Seoul-based University of North Korean Studies. Still, given that the country usually releases detainees after indicting and sentencing them, there may not be sufficient time for Carter to bring Jun home during the upcoming visit, Yang said.
[Associated
Press;
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