Alek Sigley, the Australian student who went missing in North Korea last week, has been released from detention and is safe and well.
The 29-year-old, understood to be the only Australian living in the country, was studying for a Masters degree at Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang.
Australia had reached out to the government of Sweden for help in tracking him down, as a Swedish special envoy recently met with North Korea’s foreign minister.
Today in question time, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that Alek Sigley is safe and sound, saying:
“Swedish authorities advised they met with senior officials with the DPRK and raise the issue of Alek’s disappearance. We were advised that the DPRK have released him from detention and he has safely left the country and I can confirm that he has arrived safely.”
“On behalf of the Australian government I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Swedish authorities for their invaluable assistance in securing Alek’s prompt release, which demonstrates the value of discreet behind-the-scenes work by officials in solving sensitive consular cases in close partnership with other governments. I’m sure we all could not be more pleased. We know where he is now safe.”
It is understood that Alek Sigley is currently in China, with plans to travel to Tokyo later today.
