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US National Held By N Korea After Crossing Border – UN

15 April 2023, South Korea, Joint Security Area: U.S. Army soldiers stand in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. In the background, Phanmun Pavilion can be seen in the territory of North Korea. After the three-year Korean War, a four-kilometer-wide demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established by the Armistice Agreement in July 1953, marking the border between the two countries at a length of 248 kilometers. The armistice agreement was signed in one of the blue barracks (l) at the headquarters in the JSA. Photo: Soeren Stache/dpa (Photo by Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images)

A US national has been detained in North Korea after crossing the border, a UN body says.

The United Nations Command, which operates the Demilitarised Zone and joint security area (JSA) that separates the north from South Korea, said the man did not have authorisation.

“A U.S. National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident”

BBC News has contacted the US Department of State for comment.

The Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), separates the two Koreas and its border is one of the most heavily fortified areas in the world.

It is filled with landmines, surrounded by electric and barbed wire fencing and surveillance cameras and armed guards are supposed to be on alert 24 hours a day.

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