North Korean Government Releases Detained United States Missionary; Robert Parks Back Home

February 8, 2010 3:07 p.m. EST

Encinitas, CA, United States (AHN) - The North Korean government has released Robert Park, the American missionary who was detained in North Korea. Parks is back at home with his family after more than a month of being detained, officials said.

The 28-year-old Park was held in North Korea when he attempted to cross the border from South Korea carrying letters demanding the release of political prisoners and the resignation of North Korean leader Kim Jong II, reports stated. Park sought to personally deliver the letters himself.

Park's release was in part to him taking responsibility for his actions and for having nothing but positive things to say about how treatment while detained, according to reports.

Park and his family are celebrating his release and return to the United States in Encinitas, California, where his parents live, according to reports.