American in N. Korea pleads for U.S. aid

Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen being held in North Korea, told reporters on Monday that he had committed a "serious crime" in the secretive nation and that he had not experienced abusive treatment by the regime. "I would like to plead with the U.S. government, press and my family to stop worsening my situation by making vile rumors against North Korea and releasing materials related to me, which are not based on the facts," he said before video cameras in Pyongyang.

Background:
Kenneth Bae urges U.S. to help secure his release in North Korea [CNN]
U.S. offers to send envoy to North Korea to free jailed missionary [Reuters]