We have new information this morning on the health of American prisoner Kenneth Bae.
The Korean American was transferred to a hospital after being in a North Korea prison for nine months as part of his 15 year sentence of hard labor for crimes against the state.
According to Bae’s sister, Terri Chung, her brother is suffering from severe back and leg pain after losing more than 50 pounds.
“I think the last three months in the labor camp have certainly been very trying on both his mental and physical health,” Chung told CNN from the Seattle area where the family resides.
America has no diplomatic relations with North Korea and has been working through diplomatic channels behind the scenes trying to win Bae’s release. It has called for his release on humanitarian grounds.
The family has been urging the White House to take a more active role in the case.
So far there’s been no word from North Korea on the latest developments.
You can read more about this case and see a video of Bae making a statement from prison on CNN.
