American imprisoned in NK attempted suicide: report

An American imprisoned in North Korea for illegal entry has attempted suicide, according to a North Korean news agency.

The (North) Korean Central News Agency reported Friday that Aijalon Mahli Gomes from Boston is being treated in hospital after the attempted suicide.

North Korea late last month threatened to increase punishment for Gomes who has been under hard labor for entering the country without permit, citing what it called a hostile U.S. policy toward it.

He was sentenced in April to eight years of hard labor and fined $700,000 for illigal entry to the North and an unspecified "hostile act."

북한 억류 미국인 자살 기도: 조선 중앙통신

북한에 억류중인 아이잘론 말리 곰즈씨가 자살을 기도했다고 조선중앙통신이 9일 전했다.

통신은 불법 국경 침입으로 8년 강제 노동형을 살고 있는 곰즈씨는 자살 기도로 현재 병원에서 치료 중 이라고 보도했다.