NK asks ex-detainee to pay bill for his stay

By Kim Hyo-jin

North Korea has sent a U.S. citizen who was detained in Pyongyang last year a 3.6million won ($3,241) bill, according to a recently published book which reveals the story of the detainee.

Merrill Newman, 86, visited Pyongyang for a tour last year, but was held in the Yanggakdo Hotel for 42 days on charges of espionage from Oct. 26, 2013.

The book, “last P.O.W.,” written by a former CNN correspondent Mike Chinoy, reveals that Pyongyang sent the U.S. Department of State a bill for Newman’s stay via the Swedish ambassador in Pyongyang. The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang plays a role in protecting U.S. people there.

The bill includes $2,610 for the room, $591 for meals, $14 for dessert, and even $3 for “lost plates.” The tourist season rate of $75 a day was charged for six days and the ordinary season rate of $60 was applied for the other 36 days. The bill also includes $23 for international phone calls he made to his wife in the U.S.

The 86-year-old detainee, however, left the bill unpaid after he confirmed with the State Department that paying would not help then detainees, Kenneth Bae and Mathew Miller, the book reads.