NKorea to deport detained Australian missionary
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea says it has decided to deport an Australian missionary detained for spreading Christianity in the country.
The official Korean Central News Agency says it has been investigating John Short since his arrest for secretly spreading Bible tracts around a Buddhist temple in Pyongyang on Feb. 16, the birthday of late leader Kim Jong Il.
The KCNA says Short, 75, admitted he committed a crime that hurts the Korean people's trust in their leaders and apologized for his behavior.
It says North Korea has still decided to expel him thanks for the tolerance of the country's law and in consideration of his age.
North Korea typically frees foreign detainees after they've admitted their crimes but many say after their releases that their confessions were given involuntarily and under duress.
