Robert Park, a Korean-American missionary from Arizona has likely complicated U.S. negotiations with North Korea by illegally crossing into North Korea carrying a letter addressed to the country's ruler Kim Jong-il. Park is seeking release of the 160,000 political prisoners held are in concentration camps. Yesterday's New York Times reported that Park crossed into North Korea from China on Christmas Day by way of a frozen river near the North Korean city of Hoeryong. He repeatedly shouted in Korean: "I am an American citizen. I am coming here to deliver God's love. God loves you." Park says he will not leave until North Korea shuts down its camps. He wants to become a martyr. In a videotape he left, he said he does not want President Obama to buy his freedom.
UPDATE: North Korea announced on Dec. 29 that it has custody of an American who crossed into the country illegally on Christmas Eve. Apparently this is Robert Park, whose uncle says this is good news because it means Park was not executed. (CP).
