Sue-Lin Wong | Reuters
Missiles are driven past the stand with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other high ranking officials during a military parade marking the 105th birth anniversary of North Korea’s founding father, Kim Il Sung, in Pyongyang, April 15, 2017.
Amid rising tensions between the United States and North Korea, a U.S. citizen has reportedly been detained by the government of President Kim Jong-Il.
Early Sunday, The Wall Street Journal reported that North Korea arrested a U.S. citizen in Pyongyang on Friday, citing two unnamed sources. According to the publication, the person arrested is a Korean-American who taught at a university set up in the capital city by another Korean American who is a Christian.
The detention was confirmed to CNN by an official at the Swedish Embassy, which represents American interests in North Korea.
The news comes as North Korea continues to rattle its saber at the U.S., whose officials have made clear that the “strategic patience” with the Communist-run country is nearing an end.
Last week, Vice President Mike Pence toured the demilitarized zone that separates the North from South Korea, and declared that “all options were on the table” and that Kim should not test the U.S.’s “strength and resolve.”
In its own display of military might, the North Korean government has recently tested long-range missiles—one of which took place just last week, but failed almost immediately.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC.
