Sydney: A 29-year-old Australian student detained in North Korea surfaced in Beijing airport on Thursday, saying he was in "very good" spirits after being released. Alek Sigley one of a handful of Westerners living and studying in North Korea disappeared without a trace around June 23, prompting a week of deep concern and frantic speculation about his fate.
For days Sigley's family received no word about his whereabouts or wellbeing, stoking fears he may be the latest in a long line of foreigners to become entangled in North Korea's police state.
Then, with little warning, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday told lawmakers that Sigley had "been released from detention in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" and that "he is safe and well".
Sigley's father Gary told media in Australia that the family was "extremely pleased he is safe and sound". The father admitted he had missed a call from his son because he had been busy "shopping" but hoped to give him a "big hug and kiss" soon.