An American professor has been charged with trying to overthrow the North Korean regime as Pyongyang confirmed his arrest for the first time.
Tony Kim, 58, who worked in California and also goes by his Korean name Kim Sang-Duk, was teaching accountancy at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology before he was arrested last month.
University authorities said at the time that Kim was detained at the airport while trying to leave North Korea on April 22, but the regime had not confirmed it was holding him until now.
A statement released by the Korean Central News Agency said Kim had been charged with 'committing criminal acts of hostility aimed to overturn North Korea.'
The Pyongyang University of Science and Technology is the only privately funded university in North Korea. It held its first classes in 2010. It is unique in the North for its large number of foreign staff.
Colin McCulloch, the director of external affairs, said the university is not under investigation and was continuing its normal operations.
Though no details on why Kim was detained have been released, the detention comes at a time of high tensions between the U.S. and North Korea.
President Trump has said Kim Jong-un needs to 'behave' as he sailed an 'armada' to the region comprised of three aircraft carries and two submarines.
Meanwhile the dictator has warned of a sixth nuclear test 'at any moment' and said he can destroy the US carriers with a 'single strike'.
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