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North Korea has moved imprisoned US citizen Kenneth Bae from hospital and back to a labour camp, which could complicate efforts to win his release.
In an interview on Friday with a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan, the Chosun Sinbo, Bae confirmed he had been transferred back to the "special correctional facility" in Pyongyang on January 20.
Bae, a tour operator described by a North Korean court as a militant Christian evangelist, was arrested in November 2012 and later sentenced to 15 years' hard labour on charges of seeking to topple the government.
"The Department of State has learned that the DPRK [North Korea] transferred Mr Bae from a hospital to a labour camp, a development with which we are deeply concerned," said spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
She said Washington was "gravely concerned" about the health of the Korean American, who has been in detention for more than 15 months.
"We continue to urge DPRK authorities to grant Mr Bae special amnesty and immediate release on humanitarian grounds," she added.
In his interview with the Chosun Sinbo, Bae expressed gratitude to the North Korean authorities for treating him "humanely" and pleaded with Pyongyang to allow him to return home through negotiations with the US government.
Bae said his daily routine included eight hours of manual labour and rest in the evening with books and television but chronic back pain made it hard for him to do long hours of work.
The interview was conducted when a Chosun Sinbo reporter accompanied a Swedish embassy official to meet Bae in the camp. The diplomat talked with Bae separately before the press interview.
Bae said the diplomat told him that Robert King, US special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, planned to visit the country as early as next week to discuss his case.
His family says the 45-year-old is seriously ill.
Bae, who is also known as Pae Jun-Ho, was detained as he entered North Korea's northeastern port city of Rason.
He began serving his jail sentence in a prison camp in May 2013. In August he was admitted to hospital after he lost more than 23kg and began experiencing kidney and liver problems.
On Thursday, US President Barack Obama renewed a call for Bae's release at the annual national prayer breakfast, saying "let us never forget those who are persecuted today, among them Americans of faith".
"His family wants him home, and the United States will continue to do everything in our power to secure his release because Kenneth Bae deserves to be free," Obama said.
Last month, Secretary of State John Kerry met Bae's relatives at the State Department.
Bae apologised in January in a brief appearance before reporters in Pyongyang, acknowledging he had participated in anti-government acts - a public confession that observers saw as a prerequisite for any release.
His family, which has campaigned hard for his freedom, also apologised in a written statement.
The State Department contacted Bae's family on Friday "as soon as we received the Swedish consular report," Psaki said.
As Washington does not have diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, the Swedish embassy acts on its behalf.
"We continue to work actively to secure Mr Bae's release," she said, adding that an offer was still open to send King to the North.
King was invited to North Korea to discuss Bae's case at the end of August, but Pyongyang rescinded the invitation at the 11th hour without explanation.


US citizen Kenneth Bae sent back to labour camp after hospital treatment

Kenneth Bae was arrested in November 2012.

Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American Christian missionary detained in North Korea seen at a press conference in January. Photo: Reuters

Dennis Rodman offers to take Kenneth Bae's place in a North Korean jail

Rodman on his way to Pyongyang in January. He is now offering to take Kenneth Bae's place in a North Korean jail. Photo: AFP

Dennis Rodman

North Korea threatens to renege on reunions with South 

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits an orphanage in pyongYang. Photo: EPA


Chief South Korean delegate Lee Duk-haeng (centre) walks after crossing over the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) with his group members for working-level Red Cross meeting at the truce village of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea. Photo: Xinhua

US B-52 bombers, like this one, were involved in the incident over South Korean air space, Pyongyang claims. Photo: AFP

Jailed missionary Kenneth Bae apologises to North Korea

Kenneth Bae spoke to the media on Monday. Photo: AFP

Detained Korean-American Christian missionary Kenneth Bae (centre), at a press conference in Pyongyang on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Rodman appears to blame US missionary Kenneth Bae for getting jailed in North Korea

Dennis Rodman and Kenneth Bae (inset). Photos: AP, SCMP Pictures

Dennis Rodman and Kenneth Bae (inset). Photos: AP, Reuters

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Asia

Jailed for allegedly plotting to overthrow North Korean government, Kenneth Bae is released from hospital to resume 15-years' hard labour


North Korea has moved imprisoned US citizen Kenneth Bae from hospital and back to a labour camp, which could complicate efforts to win his release. In an interview on Friday with a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan, the Chosun Sinbo, Bae confirmed he had been transferred back to the "special correctional facility" in Pyongyang on January 20.
