North Korea holds trial of American Matthew Miller

North Korea held a trial Sunday morning for American Matthew Miller, who was detained in April for violating his tourist status when he entered the country. Details were not immediately available. The specific charges or punishment he could face were also not announced before the trial. Miller, 24, of Bakersfield, California, is believed to have torn up his visa at Pyongyang’s airport and demanded asylum.

This is the way that [North Korea] play[s]. They use human beings, and in this case Americans citizens, as pawns. And we find that both objectionable and distressing.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel

A trial is also expected soon for Jeffrey Fowle, 56, who was arrested in May for leaving a Bible at a provincial club. A third American, the missionary Kenneth Bae, is serving out a 15-year sentence for alleged “hostile acts.” In an earlier interview, Miller and the other men called for Washington to send a high-ranking U.S. representative to make a direct appeal for their freedom.

World