No deal in release of American from North Korea, US State Department says

The 28-year-old missionary was arrested December 25 after he crossed into the North from China. Park was carrying a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, calling on him to free political prisoners and resign.

North Korean authorities informed the United States and the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang that they planned to release Park, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said. Sweden represents U.S. interests in North Korea because Washington and Pyongyang have no diplomatic relations. Direct notification by the North to the United States is rare.

Park was expected to travel from Pyongyang to Beijing, where he would be met by U.S. consular officials. He then would fly to the United States, Crowley said.

"There was no deal involved here," Crowley said.

"We think these cases should be dealt with on a humanitarian basis. We welcome the decision to release him and look forward to his safe return to the United States. We are grateful that this has been resolved expeditiously."