The U.S. government has pleaded with North Korean authorities to release two Americans being held in the country, with a spokeswoman saying officials are "deeply concerned" about the two men.

 

Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old Korean War veteran, was detained in October just minutes before he was to depart the country after visiting through an organized tour. Newman has issued an official apology for his actions during the Korean War, but remains in custody.

 

Last May, another American, Kenneth Bae, was apprehended and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor after North Korea's government found him guilty of "hostile acts" and attempts to topple the government. He remains in custody.

 

North Korea has arrested Americans before, only to release them after a visit by a prominent dignitary. It remains to be seen what will happen in the case of these two men.

 

Source: CNN