US man sentenced to hard labour in North Korea

[alp227]

Source: BBC News

North Korea has sentenced a US citizen to eight years' hard labour for illegally entering the country, its state news agency KCNA has said.

The man, named as 30-year-old Aijalon Mahli Gomes, from Boston, admitted his wrongdoing in court, KCNA reported.

Gomes had worked as an English teacher in South Korea, and reportedly crossed the border from China on 25 January.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8606460.stm

[David__77]

1. Did they really say "hard labor?"

I wonder.

Also, why do they never say that when people in other countries with prison systems including mandatory labor are sentenced?

[rpannier]

3. Actually it's common for North Korea to announce hard labor

They've never tried to hide it.

I've lived in the South for over a decade.
Even Xinhua (the paper of China) often reports people in North Korea being sentenced to x years at hard labor
It's one of the few things about their legal system they don't deny

[Poll_Blind]

2. What, was his hiking tour into Iran cancelled?

Fucking idiot. He'll get out ages before his North Korean guide does. These "chaperons" are entirely responsible for their charge's behavior and if said idiot brought, say, a digital video camera or some similar banned item, it's the guide who's going to do the hard time for it while his nutter fundie ass gets released and goes on a speaking tour about his harrowing three months in a North Korean prison.

PB

[Voice for Peace]

4. he got 8 years, not 3 months nt

[Poll_Blind]

5. He's not going to serve the full 8- the second part of the article gives...

...a few examples of why he likely won't.

PB

[alcibiades_mystery]

6. Christers, here's a hint

Don't go into North Korea.

Kay?