Family of American Man Detained in North Korea Plead for His Release

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Aug 13, 2014

Family of American Man Detained in North Korea Plead for His Release

Jeffrey Edward Fowle, 56, was detained in North Korea in April for allegedly violating his tourist visa; Fowle’s family is now begging for his release. 

Fowle was accused of actions “inconsistent” with being a tourist reports The Guardian. This accusation is most likely referring to the Bible that Fowle left in his hotel room. The family denies that he left the Bible as an evangelical mission.

Tim Tete, the family’s lawyer, said, “Jeffrey has been away from his family for over three months now. The family would like to express its heartfelt apology to the people and the government of the [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea]. Jeff has apologized publicly for his actions and Jeffrey’s family petitions the government of the DPRK for mercy toward Jeffrey and asks for his release.”

The Ohio father of three hopes that the United States government steps in to secure his release. Fowle is currently waiting for his trial, but a trial date has not been released.

In a statement Aug. 1, Fowle said, "The horizon for me is pretty dark. I don't know what the worst-case scenario would be, but I need help to extricate myself from this situation. I ask the government for help in that regards."

Publication date: August 13, 2014



Family of American Man Detained in North Korea Plead for His Release