News of Alek Sigley’s release comes more than a week after he went missing in Pyongyang.
Alek Sigley said he was planning to 'return to normal life' after being freed from detention in North Korea (Photo: AFP)
A 29-year-old Australian student Alek Sigley who was detained last week in North Korea said, “I am planning to “return to normal life” after being freed and flying to Japan.
Sigley was disappeared without a trace around June 23 prompting a week of deep concern about his fate, said he was “okay” but declined to disclose why he was held and how he was treated.
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He was seen in Beijing on Thursday afternoon.
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After an hour, Sigley was headed to Tokyo where his wife lives.
A statement that was released by representatives of his family in early hours on Friday said he had been reunited with his wife Yuka and would not be conducting any interviews or holding a press conference.
“I just want everyone to know I am OK, and to thank them for their concern for my wellbeing and their support for my family over the past week,” the statement said.
“I intend now to return to normal life but wanted to first publicly thank everyone who worked to ensure I was safe and well.” the statement added.
Sigley, from Perth in Western Australia, had been studying Korean literature at Kim Il Sung University since 2018 while running a company specialising in tours of North Korea.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had confirmed Singley whereabouts on Thursday.
Morrison said, “We were advised that the DPRK has released him from detention and he has safely left the country”, Scott Morrison said while referring to the North by its official name.”
News of Alek Sigley’s release comes more than a week after he went missing in Pyongyang.
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