US Veteran Newman Released by North Korea

North Korea has released and deported U.S. war veteran Merrill Newman who they had arrested and detained on charges of war crimes since October.

Since his arrest there has been continues pressure from the U.S and the Swedish embassy was in touch with North Korea to get Mr. Newman released as US has no diplomatic relationship with North Korea and they are technically in a State of War.

The US State Department has welcomed the decision to free Mr Newman, who has now arrived in Beijing.

“We are pleased that Mr Merrill Newman has been allowed to depart the DPRK (North Korea) and re-join his family. We welcome the DPRK’s decision to release him,” said Marie Harf, a State Department spokeswoman.

“I’m very glad to be on my way home,” Mr Newman told Japanese reporters after he arrived in the Chinese capital, Reuters news agency says.

“And I appreciate the tolerance the DPRK government has given to me to be on my way. I feel good, I feel good. I want to go home to see my wife.”