Special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, Bob King, was expected in Pyongyang today to seek the release of Kenneth Bae, a Christian missionary who has been held in North Korea since November. Bae was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for committing “hostile acts” against the country and has been in poor health. The AP reports that North Korea has withdrawn the invitation and King will return to Washington.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the U.S. is “surprised and disappointed.”
State Dept "surprised & disappointed" North Korea rescinds invitation for visit today by US Special Envoy Robert King.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 30, 2013
Not good news. "@ajamlive: North Korea withdraws invite for envoy to visit, seek freedom of detained America-@AP"
— Scott Pelton (@scottdpelton) August 30, 2013
#SmartDiplomacy RT @AP: North Korea withdraws invite for U.S. envoy to visit, seek freedom of detained American: http://t.co/Xb7FCrRswl
— Michele Frost (@michelelfrost) August 30, 2013
My, what a great foreign policy we have. MT: @AP BREAKING: U.S.: North Korea withdraws invite for envoy to visit
— Sunny McSunnyface (@sunnyright) August 30, 2013
Clown show. RT @markknoller: State Dept "surprised & disappointed" North Korea rescinds invitation for visit today by US Envoy Robert King.
— American Journalists Publish Chinese Propaganda (@JohnEkdahl) August 30, 2013
Twitchy will monitor this developing story and update as details become available.
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