Australian student says he was kidnapped by secret police in North Korea

An Australian student detained in rth Korea last year on accusations of espion reportedly said that he was kidnapped by secret police and forced to make a false confession. According to international media reports, Alek Sigley was held for nine days back in 2019 while studying for a postgruate degree in modern Korean literature at prestigious Kim II-sung University in Pyongyang, rth Korea capital. He was later also expelled from country after Swedish officials h reportedly helped broker his release. 

Immediately after his release a local state media outlet furr claimed that Australian student h mitted his 'spying acts' and repeatedly asked for pardon while 'apologizing for encroachment upon sovereignty of DPRK'. state media outlet also claimed that 29-year-old student passed data and photos he collected by utilising his status as a foreign student to 'anti-state' media outlets. After returning to Australia with help of Sweden, since Canberra doesn’t have a diplomatic representation in Pyongyang, Sigley h me a brief statement in July last year and ded that he won’t be giving any media interviews, holding a press conference or answering questions on social media regarding incident.

RE: Australian Student Says rth Korean Authorities Forced Him To Confess Espion

'An unpleasant experience'

29-year-old student h expressed anguish that he may never walk on streets of Pyongyang saying city holds “a very special place” in his heart. He wanted to continue acemic research in rth Korea but h plans to visit country again in short term. Korean literature student lamented fact that he won’t be able to receive his master’s degree from Kim Il-sung University after completing more than half course. 

RE: rth Korea Says Will Resume US Talks If Demands Fully Met

However, Australian student has w written for a South Korean acemic journal stating that authorities continuously me him write ‘apologies’ as if y wanted to teach him a “lesson”. Sigely’s column reportedly presented an apolitical and insightful view of life in Pyongyang, one of world’s most secretive city. He did t accuse authorities of physical mistreatment but called nine-day interrogation an unpleasant experience where he was completely cut off from outside world. 

RE: rth Korean Mor Faces Prison For Saving Kids & t Supreme Leers' Portrait From Fire

RE: US Strike On Iran Could Have Consequences In rth Korea