North Korea Claims To Be Holding An American “Tourist”

by William Teach | June 6, 2014 6:40 am

Fallout from the Bergdahl exchange? First, let’s consider[1]

The swap of five high-level Taliban operatives — dubbed a jihadist “Dream Team” — for a U.S. Army sergeant accused by fellow soldiers of desertion has “encouraged” the Afghan terror group to kidnap more U.S. service members, according to a report.

A source described as a Taliban commander close to the negotiations that led to the release of Bowe Bergdahl told Time magazine[2] the group wants to grab more Americans for similar deals.

“It’s better to kidnap one person like Bergdahl than kidnapping hundreds of useless people,” the commander told the magazine on condition of anonymity. “It has encouraged our people. Now everybody will work hard to capture such an important bird.”

Does North Korea want in on the swap an American for something train?

(Fox News[3]) An American tourist has been detained in North Korea for allegedly committing an unspecified crime, the country’s official news agency reported Friday.

The Korean Central News Agency said that authorities were investigating the American for allegedly committing acts inconsistent with the purpose of a tourist visit. It did not give details

KCNA said the American went to North Korea on April 29.

The person would be the third American currently held in North Korea.

In April, North Korea said it had detained a 24-year-old American for improper behavior while he was being processed to enter the country as a tourist. He was identified as Miller Matthew Todd — possibly putting his surname first. It said he entered the country on April 10 with a tourist visa, but tore it up and shouted that he wanted to seek asylum. The brief report said he chose the North “as a shelter.”

It’s interesting that NK is announcing this now, after detaining him a shade over a month ago. The North Korea leaders have a long history of threatening to Do Something in order to obtain material things. So far, I do have to give Obama credit for not falling into the trap previous presidents have been snared in. He’s pretty much ignored all the posturing, bloviating, and threatening by North Korea. Possibly because Obama just can’t be bothered to engage in the long negotiations required. That would require Work. But, hey, maybe he’s noticed the pattern and said “eh. You guys. Piss off”.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi is still being held in a Mexican jail. Why not exchange him for something? At least he’s a good guy, not a deserter like Bergdahl.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove[4]. Follow me on Twitter @WilliamTeach[5].

Source URL: https://rightwingnews.com/foreign-affairs/north-korea-claims-to-be-holding-an-american-tourist/

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