North Korea was set to indict two Americans for carrying out "hostile acts" against the reclusive nation, state media reported on Monday. Matthew Miller and Jeffrey Fowle, who were expected to face trial in Pyongyang had traveled to the country with sanctioned tour groups.
Sign up for breaking news alerts from NBC News
Miller, 24, was apparently detained after he tore up his visa and said he had come "to [North Korea] after choosing it as a shelter," according to state news agency KCNA. Fowle, 56, a road-maintenance worker from Miamisburg, Ohio, was arrested in mid-May after leaving a Bible behind in his hotel room, Japan’s Kyodo News reported. A third American, Kenneth Bae, is currently serving a 15-year hard labor sentence after being arrested in November 2012. Earlier this year, the State Department issued an advisory urging Americans not to travel to North Korea because of the "risk of arbitrary arrest and detention," even while holding valid visas.
In-Depth
- Family of Detained American Speaks Out
- North Korea Detains a Third American
- North Korea Not Laughing at Franco and Rogen Film