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PYONGYANG, North Korea >> The tour company an American man was traveling with when he was detained in North Korea says it is working to resolve the situation.
In a statement issued Friday, New Jersey-based Uri Tours said it has “been working closely and continuously with all relevant government and diplomatic entities to resolve this matter in a speedy and favorable manner.”
North Korea detained the 24-year-old American man for improper behavior while he was being processed to enter the country as a tourist, North Korean state media reported Saturday.
The official Korean Central News Agency identified the man as Miller Matthew Todd — possibly putting his surname first –and said he entered the country on April 10 with a tourist visa, but tore it up and shouted that he wanted to seek asylum.
Uri Tours identified the man as Matthew Miller.
The news agency said Todd was detained for “gross violation” of North Korea’s legal order and is being investigated.
The announcement Friday came as President Barack Obama was visiting rival South Korea. Obama warned North Korea that it would face tougher sanctions if it follows through with threats to conduct a fourth nuclear test.
North Korea has been holding a Korean-American missionary, Kenneth Bae, since 2012.
