Australian student Alek Sigley released by North Korea, is in Beijing and will head to Tokyo

Before his disappearance, Sigley had been studying Korean literature at Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang

An Australian government source familiar with the details confirmed Sigley was in Beijing and would shortly travel to Tokyo. Sigley’s wife is Japanese.

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Alek Sigley, 29, went missing last week, with his family saying they had not heard from the university student in Pyongyang since June 25. Photo: AP

Published: 12:50pm, 4 Jul 2019Updated: 10:36pm, 4 Jul 2019

Australian student Alek Sigley has been freed by North Korean authorities more than a week after going missing in the reclusive country.

The 29-year-old postgraduate student arrived at Beijing airport on Thursday afternoon en route to Tokyo, telling assembled media he was “OK” and feeling “very good”. Sigley declined to give answers about the circumstances of his detention.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told parliament on Thursday that Sigley had been released after the intervention of Sweden, which represents Australia in the isolated state.

“Alek is safe and well,” Morrison said. “We were advised that the DPRK have released him from detention and he has safely left the country and I can confirm that he has arrived safely.

“On behalf of the Australian government I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Swedish authorities for their invaluable assistance in securing Alek’s prompt release. This outcome demonstrates the value of discrete, behind-the-scenes work to resolving complex and sensitive consular cases in partnership with other governments.”

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Sigley’s father – Sinologist and former University of Western Australia professor Gary Sigley – had been informed of his son’s release.

“He is enormously relieved and grateful and has asked me to convey, the family has asked that we convey, their thanks to everyone who has expressed support to them,” she said.