North Korea says it has detained American citizen Kim Hak Song on suspicion of committing "hostile acts." He is the fourth US national to be held by the pariah state amid diplomatic tensions.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo/W. Maye-E
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Kim Hak Song, who worked at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST), was taken into custody on Saturday, North Korea's official KCNA news agency reported.
"A relevant institution is now conducting detailed investigation into his crimes," it added.
Kim is the second American to be arrested in a fortnight. US citizen Kim Sang Dok, who is associated with the same university, was detained in late April for trying to "overturn" the regime, according to North Korean media.
The PUST was founded by evangelical Christians in 2010 and generally schools children of the country's elite.
At least two other Americans are being held by North Korean authorities. Otton Warmbier, a 22-year-old student from Cincinnati, was sentenced in 2016 to 15 years of hard labor after he confessed to trying to steal a propaganda banner. Kim Dong Chul, a 62-year-old Korean-American missionary, is serving a 10-year sentence for espionage. Neither has appeared in public since their sentencing.
Tensions between the US and North Korea have escalated over Pyongyang's ongoing nuclear and missile tests. The country has accelerated its programs under leader Kim Jong Un, carrying out two nuclear tests and some 20 ballistic missile tests in 2016.
Guns, gold and gas: What UN sanctions target North Korea?
International observers say North Korea continues to flout bans on its pursuit of a nuclear weapons program. The UN Security Council has increased sanctions on the country.
Image: Reuters/S. Sagolj
Coal and iron
In August 2017, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution banning all coal, iron, iron ore and lead imports from North Korea. Pictured here is China's Liaoning Greenland Energy Coal Co. in Dandong, on the border with North Korea.
Image: Reuters/B. Goh
Currency
North Korea is prohibited from opening banks abroad, and UN member states are prohibited from operating financial institutions on Pyongyang's behalf. Any dealings that might help North Korea skirt the sanctions are banned, and UN member states must expel and repatriate anyone working on the regime's financial behalf.
Image: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
Shipping
This North Korean cargo ship found itself boarded for inspection in the Philippines in March 2016 after the United Nations ordered member nations to de-register any vessel owned, operated or crewed on orders from Pyongyang. North Korean ships also cannot fly the flags of other nations to evade sanctions.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/J. Dumaguing
Air travel
Air Koryo, North Korea's national carrier, remains exempt from aviation sanctions and still has scheduled flights to China and Russia, as well as several domestic routes. However, the airline cannot fly to the European Union, which has banned it on safety grounds, and the United States prevents citizens from legally conducting business with the carrier.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Yonhap
Fuel
In December 2017, a new raft of UN sanctions targeted fuel imports in North Korea, meaning its residents could have difficulties driving the country in Pyeonghwa sedans (pictured above). The sale and transfer of diesel and kerosene are limited while the import of crude oil is capped at 4 million barrels a year.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Ralston
Bank accounts, real estate
UN sanctions limit North Korea's diplomats abroad — at the country's Berlin embassy, for example — to only one bank account each. North Korea is also not permitted to own real estate abroad for any purposes other than consular.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/S.Schaubitzer
Military training
It's a safe bet that North Korea's marching military did not learn its moves abroad: UN sanctions ban foreign security forces from training the country's army, police or paramilitary units. The United Nations does permit medical exchanges, but otherwise allow very little assistance of scientific or technical value.
Image: Reuters/S. Sagolj
Statues
Anyone wanting to own a larger-than-life Kim will have to await the end of North Korea's nuclear program. The UN sanctions currently ban the sale of statues by the nation.
