SEOUL, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A Korean-American human rights activist purposely crossed into North Korea to raise awareness of Pyongyang's purported abuses, his colleagues say.
The activists said Saturday that Robert Park, 28, who heads a coalition of groups focusing on defectors from North Korea and the communist country's human rights conditions, illegally entered the North Christmas Day, crossing the frozen Tumen River while carrying a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
They said the letter urged Kim to open the border to food and medical goods and to close camps holding political prisoners.
Yonhap quoted an activist as saying Park, a Christian, yelled, "I am an American citizen. I am bringing God's love" as walked across the river. Witnesses reported Park was not stopped by guards at the closely watched border.
There has yet to be any news from Pyongyang on Park, Yonhap said.
