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North Korea says it is holding American tourist for unspecified violations

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TheDemSocialist

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TOKYO — North Korea said Friday that it has detained an American tourist for unspecified violations, marking the latest in a string of legal problems and arrests for those visiting the authoritarian nation.In a two-sentence statement, the North’s state-run news agency said that a U.S. citizen it identified as Jeffrey Edward Fowle had entered the country on April 29 and acted “contrary to the purpose of tourism.”
“A relevant organ of the DPRK detained him and is investigating him,” the North said, using the initials of the country’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
North Korea did not elaborate on Fowle’s alleged violations, but his detention raises further concerns about those traveling to the North, even as a part of sanctioned tour groups. In a travel warning updated last month, the U.S. State Department strongly advised against visiting the North and warned about arbitrary arrests, long-term detention and punishment or expulsion for “activities that would not be considered criminal outside North Korea.”
“Do not assume that joining a group tour or use of a tour guide will prevent your arrest or detention by North Korean authorities,” the State Department said.
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Read more @: North Korea says it is holding American tourist for unspecified violations

Another American detained in DPRK for very weird reasons. This time we are not even being told the exact reason. I expect this just to be more attention seeking from the DPRK government. Hopefully this US citizen can be undetained and returned home ASAP.
 
Sorry, absolutely no sympathy for this person being detained. The U.S. puts out specific warnings against such travel for a reason. If this dumb ass wants to ignore that and travel to NK which is KNOWN for this type of behavior, then that is on him.
 
TheNextEra said:
Sorry, absolutely no sympathy for this person being detained. The U.S. puts out specific warnings against such travel for a reason. If this dumb ass wants to ignore that and travel to NK which is KNOWN for this type of behavior, then that is on him.
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Sign me up. Still has always been a dream to visit the hermit kingdom. Always thought it would be incredibly interesting to see firsthand.
 
TheDemSocialist said:
Sign me up. Still has always been a dream to visit the hermit kingdom. Always thought it would be incredibly interesting to see firsthand.
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That's great, and more power to you. When you get detained though, don't cry for U.S. government help is all I ask.
 
TheNextEra said:
That's great, and more power to you. When you get detained though, don't cry for U.S. government help is all I ask.
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Very low chance of me getting detained. If I do get detained (if i ever go), I will ask the US gov to help me out since afterall im 100% sure im not a operative.
 
TheDemSocialist said:
Very low chance of me getting detained. If I do get detained (if i ever go), I will ask the US gov to help me out since afterall im 100% sure im not a operative.
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Ah so despite the warnings of not going by the u.s you will ignore it and then expect them to save your ass for your idiotic mistake.

Talk about lack of personal responsibility. Here's a better idea, listen to the warnings and don't go.
 
Why is the detention of our citizens overseas always newsworthy? Do foreigners not get arrested in America? Those never seem to be news.
 
TheNextEra said:
Ah so despite the warnings of not going by the u.s you will ignore it and then expect them to save your ass for your idiotic mistake.
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Talk about lack of personal responsibility. Here's a better idea, listen to the warnings and don't go.
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Its not a ban but a warning. So yes, I will still go. I have a buddy working in Kenya, since he works in Kenya should the US not help him if something bad happens to him? Hell there is a warning in Mexico as well...
 
TheDemSocialist said:
Very low chance of me getting detained. If I do get detained (if i ever go), I will ask the US gov to help me out since afterall im 100% sure im not a operative.
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And we will trade for you in 5 years. I'm thinking a Kit Kat and a half eaten box of Cheerios.
 
azgreg said:
And we will trade for you in 5 years. I'm thinking a Kit Kat and a half eaten box of Cheerios.
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I dunno man. A box of cheerios could feed a small family, while a socialist poly-Sci major probably couldn't.

No deal!
 
Do we have any North Korean criminals or thugs in prison they maybe might want to trade for?

People that choose to go to places like Iran and North Korea...seriously...they cant be shocked when bad things happen.
 
North Korea has learned from the Taliban and will be demanding five ships of grain and fuel oil for each American detainee.
 
azgreg said:
And we will trade for you in 5 years. I'm thinking a Kit Kat and a half eaten box of Cheerios.
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RabidAlpaca said:
I dunno man. A box of cheerios could feed a small family, while a socialist poly-Sci major probably couldn't.

No deal!
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Moderator's Warning:
Both of you knock it off.
 
Sure must be easy for NK to identify our spies, because there really isn't any other reason why an American would be going there.
 
Let's see... American tourist... North Korea... Hmmm...

They got exactly what they deserve... each other.
 
What angers me the most is that that the US liberation of North Korea would be possible but if it wasn't for Carter and Clinton the North wouldn't have the capabilities to nuke the south and hold so many families in hostage or bondage.

China is not the issue - The DPNK is...

I suppose that's what you get when you sell food doe for letting your government trick you into believing the food is for eating and not nuclear weapons. I would suspect that even China finds their hostility provoking at the very least.

Any competent leader would put an and to this madness - China wont care - they're too dependent on exports and the US economy.
 
TheNextEra said:
Sorry, absolutely no sympathy for this person being detained. The U.S. puts out specific warnings against such travel for a reason. If this dumb ass wants to ignore that and travel to NK which is KNOWN for this type of behavior, then that is on him.
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I figure everyone has a right to stick their head in the mouth of a crocodile if that's what they really want to do. But like you, I'm not going to be very sympathetic if something bad happens because of it.
 
Hatuey said:
Why is the detention of our citizens overseas always newsworthy? Do foreigners not get arrested in America? Those never seem to be news.
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Maybe it is news in their country? Besides, the U.S. doesn't throw tourists in prison for reasons like leaving a Bible on the nightstand of their hotel room.
 
TheDemSocialist said:
Its not a ban but a warning. So yes, I will still go. I have a buddy working in Kenya, since he works in Kenya should the US not help him if something bad happens to him? Hell there is a warning in Mexico as well...
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Um, you're comparing the warning to not go to NK the same as Mexico? Last I checked there are no American Airlines that travel into North Korea. Guess why?

Yeah, the warnings are a little bit more than watch yourself in Mexico. It is recommended by the U.S. that NO American citizen travel to North Korea. Don't see that same warning for Mexico, wonder why?

Yeah, if you get caught there in NK, I hope you enjoy your rest of your life in a cell because I can tell you I won't be asking for any U.S. support to get your ass out. If you are dumb enough to travel there, you are dumb enough to get what you get. And all of this is the general you.
 
TheDemSocialist said:
Read more @: North Korea says it is holding American tourist for unspecified violations

Another American detained in DPRK for very weird reasons. This time we are not even being told the exact reason. I expect this just to be more attention seeking from the DPRK government. Hopefully this US citizen can be undetained and returned home ASAP. [/FONT][/COLOR]
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The boy with the bowl haircut saw what a good deal the Taliban got and now he wants in on the action while the sucker is still in office.
 
TheDemSocialist said:
Sign me up. Still has always been a dream to visit the hermit kingdom.
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Allegedly he left a bible in his hotel room.

In regards to what you're saying, it's relatively safe as long as you behave yourself.

I looked into it once, you have to go through companies in Beijing, it's insane, you have to get a multi-entry Chinese visitors visa and go to the companies office in Beijing, they apply for your visitors visa to North Korea on your behalf, you only know 24 hours prior whether you will be allowed into the country.

Once you're there, it'll literally be the safest trip you will ever take, but pickpockets are the least of your worries, the authorities are very touchy and essentially you do what you're told and keep your mouth shut and you'll be fine.
 
Jetboogieman said:
Allegedly he left a bible in his hotel room.

In regards to what you're saying, it's relatively safe as long as you behave yourself.
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Really? So leaving a Bible on a nightstand is outlandish behavior worthy of decades in prison? If you're an American in North Korea, I'm pretty sure that behaving yourself makes no difference on whether they throw you in prison.
 
The Man said:
Really? So leaving a Bible on a nightstand is outlandish behavior worthy of decades in prison?
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If it ain't state sanctioned it's not allowed.

It could be viewed by the state as foreign propoganda meant to incite anti-revolutionary sentiment among the hotel staff or something.

As I said the North Korean authorities are very touchy, even a picture taken at a wrong angle of images of the leaders can lead to trouble, usually for the tour guide and not the tourist but let's say he did even bring the bible with him, it was a stupid mistake.

Though you can never trust the NK authorities, they may be doing this as part of a bargaining strategy.
 
Jetboogieman said:
If it ain't state sanctioned it's not allowed.

It could be viewed by the state as foreign propoganda meant to incite anti-revolutionary sentiment among the hotel staff or something.

As I said the North Korean authorities are very touchy, even a picture taken at a wrong angle of images of the leaders can lead to trouble, usually for the tour guide and not the tourist but let's say he did even bring the bible with him, it was a stupid mistake.

Though you can never trust the NK authorities, they may be doing this as part of a bargaining strategy.
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I just can't grasp why anyone would want to go to North Korea, let alone a tourist going there voluntarily? It really makes no sense at all.
 
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