North Korea: US calls for release of American citizen

The US Government has called for North Korea to release an American citizen, reportedly detained there several months ago.

Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman, said that Swedish officials had visited the man as the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Pyongyang. Mr Toner, who gave no details about the arrest or the detainee, urged North Korea to treat the US citizen "in a manner consistent with international human rights law".

Sweden's foreign ministry confirmed that its diplomats were representing the US.