List of foreign nationals detained in North Korea
Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:31:47 AM Wikipedia source
Foreign nationals who have been detained in North Korea. Excluded from the list are any persons who were detained while on active military duty and held as prisoners of war or military defectors. Also excluded are people abducted in other countries and brought into North Korea.
Tables
· Detained Australians
John Short
John Short
Name
John Short
Detained
16 February 2014
Released
3 March 2014
Days in detention
15
Reason for detention
Unauthorized religious activity
Alek Sigley
Alek Sigley
Name
Alek Sigley
Detained
25 June 2019
Released
4 July 2019
Days in detention
9
Reason for detention
Espionage, was arrested while studying in Pyongyang. After negotiations through the Swedish embassy in North Korea, he was released.
| Name | Detained | Released | Days in detention | Reason for detention | Ref. |
| John Short | 16 February 2014 | 3 March 2014 | 15 | Unauthorized religious activity | |
| Alek Sigley | 25 June 2019 | 4 July 2019 | 9 | Espionage, was arrested while studying in Pyongyang. After negotiations through the Swedish embassy in North Korea, he was released. |
· Detained South Korean citizens
Min Young Mi
Min Young Mi
Name
Min Young Mi
Detained
20 June 1999
Released
25 June 1999
Days in detention
5
Reason for detention
"Preaching defection". Detained after conversing with a North Korean tour guide.
Kim Jung Wook (alternative spelling: Kim Jong Uk)
Kim Jung Wook (alternative spelling: Kim Jong Uk)
Name
Kim Jung Wook (alternative spelling: Kim Jong Uk)
Detained
8 October 2013
Released
In detention
Days in detention
4,418
Reason for detention
Unknown, possibly connected with Christian missionary work. Alleged activities as a "South Korean National Intelligence Service agent".
Joo Won Moon
Joo Won Moon
Name
Joo Won Moon
Detained
22 April 2015
Released
5 October 2015
Days in detention
166
Reason for detention
Illegally entering North Korea via China
Kim Kook Kie
Kim Kook Kie
Name
Kim Kook Kie
Detained
June 2015
Released
In detention
Days in detention
3,810
Reason for detention
Committing "anti-DPRK espionage activities under the manipulation of the U.S. and puppet South Korea"
Choi Chun Kil
Choi Chun Kil
Name
Choi Chun Kil
Detained
In detention
Ko Hyon Chol
Ko Hyon Chol
Name
Ko Hyon Chol
Detained
July 2016
Released
In detention
Days in detention
3,414
Reason for detention
Alleged kidnapping of orphans
| Name | Detained | Released | Days in detention | Reason for detention | Ref. |
| Min Young Mi | 20 June 1999 | 25 June 1999 | 5 | "Preaching defection". Detained after conversing with a North Korean tour guide. | |
| Kim Jung Wook (alternative spelling: Kim Jong Uk) | 8 October 2013 | In detention | 4,418 | Unknown, possibly connected with Christian missionary work. Alleged activities as a "South Korean National Intelligence Service agent". | |
| Joo Won Moon | 22 April 2015 | 5 October 2015 | 166 | Illegally entering North Korea via China | |
| Kim Kook Kie | June 2015 | In detention | 3,810 | Committing "anti-DPRK espionage activities under the manipulation of the U.S. and puppet South Korea" | |
| Choi Chun Kil | In detention | ||||
| Ko Hyon Chol | July 2016 | In detention | 3,414 | Alleged kidnapping of orphans |
· Detained U.S. citizens
Evan Hunziker
Evan Hunziker
Name
Evan Hunziker
Detained
24 August 1996
Released
27 November 1996
Days in detention
95
Reason for detention
Illegally entering North Korea
Kwang Duk Lee
Kwang Duk Lee
Name
Kwang Duk Lee
Detained
26 May 1998
Released
27 August 1998
Days in detention
93
Reason for detention
Espionage
Karen Jung-sook Han
Karen Jung-sook Han
Name
Karen Jung-sook Han
Detained
17 June 1999
Released
20 July 1999
Days in detention
33
Reason for detention
Committing "an illegal act". Was accused of insulting local officials.
Euna Lee
Euna Lee
Name
Euna Lee
Detained
17 March 2009
Released
4 August 2009
Days in detention
140
Reason for detention
Illegally entering North Korea (see 2009 imprisonment of American journalists by North Korea)
Laura Ling
Laura Ling
Name
Laura Ling
Robert Park
Robert Park
Name
Robert Park
Detained
25 December 2009
Released
6 February 2010
Days in detention
43
Reason for detention
Illegally entering North Korea
Aijalon Gomes
Aijalon Gomes
Name
Aijalon Gomes
Detained
25 January 2010
Released
26 August 2010
Days in detention
213
Eddie Yong Su Jun
Eddie Yong Su Jun
Name
Eddie Yong Su Jun
Detained
November 2010
Released
28 May 2011
Days in detention
~208
Reason for detention
"Committing a crime" against North Korea
Kenneth Bae
Kenneth Bae
Name
Kenneth Bae
Detained
3 November 2012
Released
8 November 2014
Days in detention
735
Reason for detention
Unauthorized religious activity
Merrill Newman
Merrill Newman
Name
Merrill Newman
Detained
26 October 2013
Released
7 December 2013
Days in detention
42
Reason for detention
Issues related to his service in the Korean War
Matthew Miller
Matthew Miller
Name
Matthew Miller
Detained
10 April 2014
Released
8 November 2014
Days in detention
212
Reason for detention
Acts hostile to the DPRK while entering under the guise of a tourist. He had travelled to North Korea intending to get arrested.
Jeffrey Fowle
Jeffrey Fowle
Name
Jeffrey Fowle
Detained
4 May 2014
Released
21 October 2014
Days in detention
170
Reason for detention
Acting "contrary to the purpose of tourism" by leaving a Bible at a nightclub
Arturo Pierre Martinez
Arturo Pierre Martinez
Name
Arturo Pierre Martinez
Detained
10 November 2014
Released
December 2014
Days in detention
~21
Reason for detention
Illegally entering North Korea
Sandra Suh
Sandra Suh
Name
Sandra Suh
Detained
8 April 2015
Released
8 April 2015
Days in detention
0
Reason for detention
Deported for "covertly producing photos and videos to use in the anti-DPRK smear campaign"
Miles, no surname given
Miles, no surname given
Name
Miles, no surname given
Detained
13 August 2015
Released
October 2015
Days in detention
~49
Reason for detention
Illegally entering North Korea. Previously sought legal long-term residence. Story initially went unreported, but was later verified and broken by NK News on condition of anonymity.
Kim Dong Chul
Kim Dong Chul
Name
Kim Dong Chul
Detained
October 2015
Released
9 May 2018
Days in detention
952
Reason for detention
Espionage
Otto Warmbier
Otto Warmbier
Name
Otto Warmbier
Detained
2 January 2016
Released
13 June 2017
Days in detention
529
Reason for detention
Committing "hostile acts" against the DPRK by allegedly stealing a propaganda poster from his hotel. Released back in a vegetative state, later succumbing to injuries inflicted from "severe brain damage".
Kim Sang-duk (Tony Kim)
Kim Sang-duk (Tony Kim)
Name
Kim Sang-duk (Tony Kim)
Detained
21 April 2017
Released
9 May 2018
Days in detention
384
Reason for detention
Committing "hostile criminal acts with an aim to subvert the country"
Kim Hak-song
Kim Hak-song
Name
Kim Hak-song
Detained
7 May 2017
Released
368
Days in detention
Committing "hostile acts" against the state
Bruce Byron Lowrance
Bruce Byron Lowrance
Name
Bruce Byron Lowrance
Detained
16 October 2018
Released
16 November 2018
Days in detention
31
Reason for detention
Illegally entering North Korea via China
| Name | Detained | Released | Days in detention | Reason for detention | Ref. |
| Evan Hunziker | 24 August 1996 | 27 November 1996 | 95 | Illegally entering North Korea | |
| Kwang Duk Lee | 26 May 1998 | 27 August 1998 | 93 | Espionage | |
| Karen Jung-sook Han | 17 June 1999 | 20 July 1999 | 33 | Committing "an illegal act". Was accused of insulting local officials. | |
| Euna Lee | 17 March 2009 | 4 August 2009 | 140 | Illegally entering North Korea (see 2009 imprisonment of American journalists by North Korea) | |
| Laura Ling | |||||
| Robert Park | 25 December 2009 | 6 February 2010 | 43 | Illegally entering North Korea | |
| Aijalon Gomes | 25 January 2010 | 26 August 2010 | 213 | ||
| Eddie Yong Su Jun | November 2010 | 28 May 2011 | ~208 | "Committing a crime" against North Korea | |
| Kenneth Bae | 3 November 2012 | 8 November 2014 | 735 | Unauthorized religious activity | |
| Merrill Newman | 26 October 2013 | 7 December 2013 | 42 | Issues related to his service in the Korean War | |
| Matthew Miller | 10 April 2014 | 8 November 2014 | 212 | Acts hostile to the DPRK while entering under the guise of a tourist. He had travelled to North Korea intending to get arrested. | |
| Jeffrey Fowle | 4 May 2014 | 21 October 2014 | 170 | Acting "contrary to the purpose of tourism" by leaving a Bible at a nightclub | |
| Arturo Pierre Martinez | 10 November 2014 | December 2014 | ~21 | Illegally entering North Korea | |
| Sandra Suh | 8 April 2015 | 8 April 2015 | 0 | Deported for "covertly producing photos and videos to use in the anti-DPRK smear campaign" | |
| Miles, no surname given | 13 August 2015 | October 2015 | ~49 | Illegally entering North Korea. Previously sought legal long-term residence. Story initially went unreported, but was later verified and broken by NK News on condition of anonymity. | |
| Kim Dong Chul | October 2015 | 9 May 2018 | 952 | Espionage | |
| Otto Warmbier | 2 January 2016 | 13 June 2017 | 529 | Committing "hostile acts" against the DPRK by allegedly stealing a propaganda poster from his hotel. Released back in a vegetative state, later succumbing to injuries inflicted from "severe brain damage". | |
| Kim Sang-duk (Tony Kim) | 21 April 2017 | 9 May 2018 | 384 | Committing "hostile criminal acts with an aim to subvert the country" | |
| Kim Hak-song | 7 May 2017 | 368 | Committing "hostile acts" against the state | ||
| Bruce Byron Lowrance | 16 October 2018 | 16 November 2018 | 31 | Illegally entering North Korea via China |
· Other detained foreign citizens
Alí Lameda
Alí Lameda
Name
Alí Lameda
Country
Venezuela
Detained
September 1967
Released
27 September 1974
Days in detention
~2,555
Reason for detention
Communist and translator working in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of North Korea, reportedly for joking about Kim Il-sung at an official feast. In a 1975 interview, Lameda expressed that his detention could have been a result of pressure by the Communist Party of Cuba after the Communist Party of Venezuela decided to accept pacification and abandon arms.
Eduardo Murillo
Eduardo Murillo
Name
Eduardo Murillo
Country
Chile
Detained
September 1967
Released
May 1968
Days in detention
~-243
Reason for detention
Same background as Ali Lameda, see above
Hyeon Soo Lim
Hyeon Soo Lim
Name
Hyeon Soo Lim
Country
Canada
Detained
February 2015
Released
9 August 2017
Days in detention
~920
Reason for detention
"Harming the dignity of the supreme leadership, trying to use religion to destroy the North Korean system"
Jacques Sedillot
Jacques Sedillot
Name
Jacques Sedillot
Country
France
Detained
September 1967
Released
27 September 1974
Days in detention
~2,555
Reason for detention
Same background as Ali Lameda, see above
| Name | Country | Detained | Released | Days in detention | Reason for detention | Ref. |
| Alí Lameda | Venezuela | September 1967 | 27 September 1974 | ~2,555 | Communist and translator working in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of North Korea, reportedly for joking about Kim Il-sung at an official feast. In a 1975 interview, Lameda expressed that his detention could have been a result of pressure by the Communist Party of Cuba after the Communist Party of Venezuela decided to accept pacification and abandon arms. | |
| Eduardo Murillo | Chile | September 1967 | May 1968 | ~-243 | Same background as Ali Lameda, see above | |
| Hyeon Soo Lim | Canada | February 2015 | 9 August 2017 | ~920 | "Harming the dignity of the supreme leadership, trying to use religion to destroy the North Korean system" | |
| Jacques Sedillot | France | September 1967 | 27 September 1974 | ~2,555 | Same background as Ali Lameda, see above |
References
- Warmbier died six days after being released.
- Lowrance's surname was misspelled and transposed in some news reports.
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/05/australian-missionary-deported-north-korea-john-short
- Luck had nothing to do with Alek Sigley's escape from North Koreahttps://www.smh.com.au/national/luck-had-nothing-to-do-with-alek-sigley-s-escape-from-north-korea-20190705-p524j0.html
- Missing Australian student Alek Sigley freed from detention in North Korea, now safe and out of countryhttps://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/alek-sigley-student-feared-missing-in-n-korea-now-safe-and-sound-in-china/news-story/2ce070f03951dd6c04988a8a24f678be
- Australia warns released student Alek Sigley not to return to North Koreahttps://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/australia-warns-released-student-alex-sigley-not-to-return-to-north-korea
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/04/alek-sigley-australian-student-released-from-north-korea-reports
- "Alek Sigley: North Korea accuses Australian of 'spying'"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48893523
- BBC Newshttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/378026.stm
- KCNAhttps://kcnawatch.org/newstream/1452001754-735281031/mt-kumgang-tour-must-not-be-used-for-anti-north-purpose/
- the Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/31/south-korean-missionary-sentenced-to-life-of-hard-labor-by-north-korea
- NK Newshttps://www.nknews.org/2018/03/north-korea-irresponsive-on-six-south-koreans-detained-in-dprk-says-mou/
- Church in Chainshttps://www.churchinchains.ie/prisoner-profiles/kim-jong-uk/
- New York Daily Newshttp://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/north-korea-release-detained-nyu-student-won-moon-joo-article-1.2385260
- The Seattle Timeshttps://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19961127&slug=2362032
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-sep-01-me-18458-story.html
- BBC Newshttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/398044.stm
- "Ling Sisters Recount Laura's Capture In North Korea"https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126613763
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/07/robert-park-north-korea-home
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-11117205
- "N Korea 'to release US citizen Eddie Jun Yong-su'"https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-13572049
- The Christian Science Monitorhttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/terrorism-security/2013/0510/North-Korea-explains-why-it-sentenced-American-Kenneth-Bae-to-hard-labor
- CNNhttps://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/08/world/asia/us-north-korea-detainees-released/index.html
- "North Korea releases American detainees Bae, Miller"https://fox59.com/news/north-korea-releases-american-detainees-bae-miller/
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-25274840
- Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/north-korea-sentences-american-matthew-miller-to-6-years-of-hard-labor/2014/09/14/aa91ac40-3c05-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30086069
- KBAK-TV/KBFX-CDhttps://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/bakersfield-man-held-in-north-korea-us-officials-request-release
- "American released from North Korea"http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/21/politics/american-released-north-korea
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/21/north-korea-jeffrey-fowle-state-department
- "Exclusive: American 'defector' home safely from North Korea"https://www.nknews.org/2016/04/exclusive-american-defector-home-safely-from-north-korea/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/09/north-korea-sandra-suh-deport
- The Pyongyang Times
- NK Newshttps://www.nknews.org/2019/12/exclusive-u-s-citizen-says-he-snuck-into-north-korea-was-imprisoned-in-2015/
- CNNhttp://www.cnn.com/2016/01/11/asia/north-korea-alleged-us-detainee/
- ibtimes.comhttp://www.ibtimes.com/north-korea-releases-3-us-detainees-labor-camps-negotiating-return-2676816
- CNBChttps://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/09/trump-secretary-of-state-pompeo-heading-back-from-north-korea-with-3-released-prisoners.html
- gq.comhttps://www.gq.com/story/otto-warmbier-north-korea-american-hostage-true-story
- "North Korea detains U.S. student on New Year trip for 'hostile act'"https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-student-idUSKCN0V00I8
- "North Korea detains third U.S. citizen"https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-detainee-idUSKBN17P038
- reuters.comhttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-detainee-idUSKBN17Z0GC
- todayonline.comhttps://www.todayonline.com/world/3-americans-are-released-north-korea-trump-says
- "North Korea detains fourth US citizen"http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/07/asia/north-korea-american-detained/index.html
- NPRhttps://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/09/609684331/north-korea-releases-3-americans-as-pompeos-visit-concludes
- AP Newshttps://www.apnews.com/fee0b494daea49eca62d5e72410e745d
- The Antrim Reviewhttps://web.archive.org/web/20210801023644/http://www.antrimreview.net/content/central-lake-man-released-north-korean-prison
- Amnesty Internationalhttps://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/ASA24/002/1979/en/
- El Estimulohttps://elestimulo.com/climax/ali-lameda-tortura-terrible/
- Radio Pauta 100.5https://www.pauta.cl/tendencias/2018/06/08/un-chileno-en-el-infierno-norcoreano.html
- "North Korea releases imprisoned Canadian pastor, state media says"http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canadian-pastor-released-1.4239910