A Korean American on trial in North Korea for “crimes against the government” faces the death penalty, reports Fox.
Kenneth Bae has been detained for six months after being apprehended in November while working as a tour guide in the country.
He is the sixth American in recent years to go on trial in North Korea and analyst says Bae’s story follows a familiar pattern.
His trial comes at a time of increased tensions between North Korea and the United States. North Korea has moved its missiles into position to strike US Territories.
In 2009 during another high profile trial of two Americans in North Korea, the regime was involved in another showdown in the United States over nuclear testing.
“For North Korea, Bae is a bargaining chip in dealing with the U.S.,” said Koh Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, South Korea. “The North will use him in a way that helps bring the U.S. to talks when the mood slowly turns toward dialogue.”
