U.S. tourist Merrill Newman arrives at Beijing airport Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 after being released by North Korea. North Korea deported Newman who was detained for more than a month, apparently ending the saga of his return to the North six decades after he advised South Korean guerrillas still loathed by Pyongyang. North Korea made the decision because the 85-year-old Newman had apologized for his alleged crimes during the Korean War and because of his age and medical condition, according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) JAPAN OUT, CREDIT MANDATORY
December 06, 2013 - 6:00 PM
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea says it has deported an elderly U.S. tourist and war veteran detained for more than a month for alleged hostile acts against the country.
The North's state media says it did so because 85-year-old Merrill Newman had apologized for his alleged crimes during the Korean War during a recent trip to the country and because of his age and medical condition.
It's not clear if his confession was coerced. He was taken off a plane Oct. 26 by North Korean authorities while preparing to leave the country after a 10-day tour.
Before him, North Korea has detained at least six Americans since 2009.
A former group of South Korean guerrillas say Newman advised them as they fought behind enemy lines during the war.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013