It is the UN force on the ground that is holding the dialogue regarding the American who last week ran across the border during a guided tour of the demilitarized zone.
– A conversation has started with the Korean People’s Army through the armistice agreement mechanism, says Andrew Harrison during a press conference, TT reports.
Previously arrested
The Harrison Agreement refers to the truce between South Korea and North Korea on July 27, 1953 and effectively ended the Korean War.
The American soldier has previously been detained in South Korea when he was accused of assault. It was when he had been escorted to an airport to be taken to the United States that he somehow got out of the airport, then joined the guided tour.
He is said to have been laughing as he ran across the border. After crossing the border, he was arrested and is said to be in custody.
The soldier’s health worries
The UN force’s main concern is the health of the soldier, Harrison said during the press conference. However, he does not want to give any details about what the contact with North Korea looks like.
– I cannot say anything that could affect the process, he says.
The US does not have its own diplomatic relations with North Korea, but has asked South Korea and Sweden for help. This is because Sweden is the protecting power for the US in North Korea, which means that the state protects US interests in the country to some extent. Sweden is also the EU country that has had an embassy in North Korea for the longest time.