Eighty-five-year-old Merrill Newman spent more than a month detained in North Korea. Now, he's back home in California. NBC's Mike Taibbi reports.
The 85-year-old American detained in North Korea this fall said Sunday that he was well fed and comfortable during the more than a month he was held in the secretive communist nation, a newspaper reported.
Merrill Newman told the Santa Cruz Sentinel that he was held in a hotel room and even felt a little "bored" during his detainment. He said he was given traditional Korean food to eat. The newspaper said he spoke briefly Sunday morning outside his Santa Cruz home.
The Korean War veteran had spent a 10-day vacation tour in North Korea and was on an airline jet for a flight home to the United States on Oct. 26 when he was pulled off the aircraft.
North Korea released him on Friday, citing his age and a heart condition.
"Taking into consideration his admittance of the act committed by him on the basis of his wrong understanding, apology made by him for it, his sincere repentance of it and his advanced age and health condition, the above-said institution deported him from the country from a humanitarian viewpoint," the North's official Korean Central News Agency wrote on Saturday.
Noah Berger / Reuters
Merrill Newman arrives at San Francisco International Airport on Saturday after his release from North Korea.
The KCNA said last week that Newman attempted to meet with soldiers he trained during the war to fight North Korea, admitted he was a “criminal” involved in killing civilians during the war, and carried an e-book criticizing North Korea.
Newman helped to train and coordinate a battalion of Korean anti-communist guerrillas, a veteran who served with him has said.
North Korea released a statement of apology supposedly made by Newman and a video of him reading an apology.
Asked about the apology on Sunday, Newman told the Sentinel, "Obviously, that's not my English."
Happy your home safe !!
Wow! Somebody used the first post to say something positive, and nothing political. Right on...
I'm glad he's safe as well. Though I'm still confused as to why he felt it was necessary to go to a hostile country that already loathes the US. It was just a gamble on that guys part.
Finally a happy ending, I hope that he and others have learned an important lesson about traveling to these hostile countries. This could have turned out a whole lot worse, and I think that we should give North Korea a little credit for doing the right thing for a change.
Give North Korea a little credit for a change??? WTF??? Let me guess...
Too bad NK didn't just put his butt in a life raft and set him off to sea. The selfish jerk tweaked nerves and relations to reconcile his own actions. Maybe a letter would have sufficed???
I have no sympathy for anyone who sticks their head in a crocodile's mouth. They may have caught the rascal - but they will never tame it. Putting their head in its mouth is not daring, or courageous, or bravery - it's flat out stupid.
Hopefully, people like him have learned an important lesson: NORTH KOREA IS OFF LIMITS! It's not a friendly vacation spot or tourist destination. It's one big prison camp where millions of starving people die, and is run like a personal fiefdom by a cruel dynasty. You want dangerous adventure? How about Somalia, Nigeria, the CAR, or Iran?
Do not understand why these people go to hostile countries. Think maybe this guy has Alzheimers or is senile. The family need to keep a close eye on him.
Another ungrateful man that thinks he is better than everybody else. He should burn in hell for the crime he did in NK.
NK should've imprisoned him in various prisons.
The good die young, and the bad reaches 80+ years, but god will judge everyone in the end. His smiles tell everything.
If he had the chance to go free, he should shut his mouth and be sincere, instead of being insincere making joke out of NK.
tom111 is a great example of a propaganda throw away account, i know a lot of people are asleep when it comes to things like propaganda. "ohh that went away in WWII or the cold war". Nope, it's here and tom111 is just a great example, generic name, reinforcing the rhetoric of a communist country living in the dark ages.
tom111 sounds like an NK agent. Should the man be grateful to NK for what? Talking about crime, the NK regime butchers its own people daily.
tom time to grow up! You're such a bleeding a heart for North Korea and Communism? Then pack your ass up and move over there.
They'll welcome you with open arms!Especially that fat little bastard they have for a beloved leader! I'm sure their labor camps can use one more! There isn't a country on this planet that isn't guilty of something during a war.
If I was let go, I would say "Thank you for releasing me. God bless. Let's move on," and I certainly wouldn't give a devilish smirk/smile like I'm better than you.
You ever think that the smile you're so pissed off about was a smile of relief ? That man was scared crapless believe me! Many times people will laugh during a funeral just to release the grief and pressure their feeling from their loss.
It's quite common!
I see a devil in that smile. It is evil smile.
Noooo,it's not! The only devils running around were the devils keeping him prisoner!
You can think what you want,but it's wrong.
@Gallyton
You give him far too much importance. He's an idiot and a troll.
Man, it’s gotta hurt waking up every morning being you, tom...
Hi Tom! The secret is out, you are a moron aren't you?
Did you know the fact?
tom111
Are you psychic? Are you paranoid? Do you suffer from delusions? Because unless you answer in the affirmative to one of those questions, how in the hell do you think you're capable of judging the intent or emotion behind someone's "smile?"
*Smiles at you*
You just changed my definition of what an aßßhole is ...
Tom111....it's obvious you know nothing of the Korean War history. North Korea started it and was known for many tortures and murders. They killed many US soldiers and airmen when they invaded the south. We need to bomb North Korea off the face of the earth. Their leader is a psychopathic madman, The only good North Korean is a dead one.
Here's a solution...Turn downtown Pyongyang into a crater-filled parking lot.
I know quite a lot about North Korea and what we did there, since I served two years in that combat zone. In my opinion we should never have been there in the first place, and 60 years later we have troops strung across their country. Unless you are an international banker or a corporate exploiter why would you give a damn what kind of government they chose. Korea is on the other side of the world and represented no threat to us in any way.
Frank, we have troops in South Korea, not the north. As for the threat to us, perhaps there isn't much of a threat to us directly but, what about our allies in South Korea and Japan? How much longer do you think it will take before North Korea does have the weapons that can threaten us in Hawaii and on the west coast?
Whoa,PR--lots of civilians, human beings you are willing to murder because of a corrupt and crazy government.
"The only good North Korean is a dead one."
Final solution, huh? Genocide is evil no matter who does it or who advocates it. As a practical matter, the US never declared war. (I believe North Korea did declare war on South Korea.) So, really, he was a criminal -- even if the "confession" was completely bogus. Ah, but in your mind, rules only apply to other nations.
Thanks, Frank. Glad you made it.
If he was lucky he got to eat some Korean BBQ ribs. I love those things.
Yeah, Merle T Wiler. They say those (dog) BBQ ribs taste just like chicken. No thanks.
The man traveled to find and speak with soldiers he helped train (to fight Communism) during the Korean War - what harm was there in that? The only criminal thing here is the Communist North Korean Government made an issue of his past military service by forcing him to admit to crimes and wrong-doing during the Korean War. This is pure propaganda on the part of North Korea. It is good they released this man.
Another international issue that could have been avoided if the old fool stayed put. You don't go to a nut job country and let them know you were an enemy combatant.
The same 'harm' that comes about when some dumbass decides he wants to cross the street - and pays no mind to all the speeding cars. Now the very real DRIVERS in those cars have to take action to avoid having an 'event' on their consciousness. In other words - a whole lot of people had to deal with this one person's selfish ego trip.
It's the same "harm" that occurs when yet another dumbass wants to drive like a careless, irresponsible, bat out of hell. He has little to no concern for anyone else on the road - including all those other cars with kids strapped into the backseat. He doesn't care about anything or anyone except himself - it's all about him.
Too bad NK didn't also force him to publicly admit that his entire trip was for selfish reasons.
This man was a political prisoner & is likely smiling because he knows he's lucky to be alive & in one piece.
Any statements or "apologies" that he made while in custody were coerced, much like many detectives obtains here on our soil from indigent defendants.
The will to survive will make many do things that they wouldn't ordinarily do or say.
I'm glad that he's home & safe, hope he has learned a lesson as to where not to travel.
Cat
He also knows that there is still an American in prison over there so he's not going to come home, grab the first reporter and say he was just kidding about his apology or do anything that's going to make it worse for the other guy.
Yes, he's doing the right thing, that being the case.
Hopefully the press will respect that & not hound him for interviews. We all know how some reporters will go to any length for a story.
And I hope that any others makes it home, sooner rather than later.
Cat
No Fool Like an Old Fool. Do not go to the Crap Hole.
The North Korea can be better than FOX & Friends. FOX TV is training young Americans to not trust 'the government' with your SSN and drivers license. The government which has the roll and purpose to originate and supply those ID's cannot be trusted to request from you proof of you having them. Young American, if a police pulls you over, do not offer 'The Government' aka 'Police Officer' your license and insurance. Be willingly glad to show it to 'Private Business' aka 'The Sports Bar' so that you can Libertarian-ly get drunk before the government gets into your 'free drunk-driving' affair. ObamaCare cannot help you, should you seriously hurt yourself. And, if you are a female and you got too drunk to remember---Please do not go to a Catholic Hospital.....
North Korea is becoming better than the Republican Taliban Party!!!
Gridlick, Do you get paid to be a troll? or are you really this hatefully ignorant?
I sure hope his feelings have changed from what they where before he went there.He's one Lucky man. as for Tom 111 your an Idiot. Nothing more or Less
Tom111: You must live in Fantasyland. Why don't you see if you could get a job in Disneyland? Better yet, serve your country and see how the real world works.
Disneyland is too nice for Tom111, he must be north korean. He needs to go home to his fatherland & kiss Kim jung un.
This is exactly what the muslim terrorists do. Does north korea really think anyone lends any credence to an "apology" from a hostage? Their chubby leader is as insane as his father was.
The next time don't call home. This whole thing was just a stupid act. Next time you murder someone don't ask to come to dinner.
Now let's get Saeed Abedini home, the Iranian-American Pastor being held prisoner
in an Iranian prison. The Obama Administration dropped the ball on that deal.
Someone may eventually pay for his release, just like with the 3 hikers who crossed the border.
However if so, it likely will be a neutral party.
Cat
Now let's free Saeed Abedini the Iranian-American pastor being held in
an Iranian prison....The Obama Administration has so far abandoned him.
Tim it's the state departments job to work with other country's about Americans abroad Not the Presidents.
You didn't need to post this pathetic plea twice, we heard you the first time. That preacher walked into the lion's den willfully, trying to spread his religion where it's illegal and unwelcome. He made his bet and lost. Let the Iranian-American Christian community pay his ransom. Not my tax dollars.
Well, of course Newman was treated well. The North Koreans, bluster though they will, aren't about to directly challenge the US. Unless they're suicidal, which I hope they aren't.
Im sure he is getting paid for desibility or va payment. Now if that is the case what he did reading to the people what he did and to say he was sorry should br in him AR-15 And charged in a military court for his actions while he was there
What, a 10 day vacation in that screwed up country? What was this guy thinking? Who changed his diapers while he was on his vacation? Why would the US allow anyone a Visa to go there?
I was so relieved to hear this. for some reason this man has been on my mind. what a awesome Christmas for his family this year!! welcome home!
DROP them a thank you note. taped to the side of a NUKE!! nuke them away forever. problem solved. the next country will think twice... if U.S. shows some balls! HE served his country.let his country return the favor!
This 85 year old veteran of 'The Forgotten War' was, in all probability, there 'for closure'...
That's why many of us 'Nam veterans choose to return to 'Nam and, if possible, visit where we were assigned, and lost our friends...closure...
His 'confession' was, in all probability, 'staged and scripted'...
Bottomline is that he is now home with his family...that's what counts...
Tom111 get help.Ha HA!! I thought I was a sick BITCH!!!!!
@Tom111
mugga chaji (sp)
@tom111
성기를 빨아 다이
So now I'll take North Korea off my list of places to go for a nice vacation. LOL
The fat boy of North Korea better get his apologies in store for his day of reckoning that may come sooner than he thinks? How do you spell: D R O N E in Korea? Look to the sky, Fat Boy! Be careful with that cell phone or you may become fish food like Bin Laden.