Australian tells of detainment in N Korea

An Australian man detained in North Korea has recounted "long and gruelling" interrogation sessions. Source: AAP

TWO hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.

Australian missionary John Short has revealed detail of his "long and gruelling" interrogation while detained in North Korea for breaches of the country's religious laws.

The 75-year-old was held for 13 days in the capital Pyongyang after being picked up en route to the airport on February 18.

In a statement issued on Wednesday Mr Short said recounting scripture helped him endure the "long and gruelling investigation".

"There were two-hour sessions each morning, which were repeated again in the afternoons," he said.

The keen walker who clocks up an average 5kms a day said his seated confinement was challenging.

"This I found to be most painful physically as an active senior person."

It was also stressful being under constant guard, he added.

When first detained Mr Short said he insisted he was not a spy and did not intend bringing hostilities to North Korea.

He was told that by distributing religious pamphlets at a Buddhist temple and in a crowded train he violated local laws which prohibit the dissemination of religious material, and faced 15 years in prison.

"I confessed that I had knowingly broken the law in what I believed is my God directed duty and as I do in every place and country I visit," Mr Short said.

The non-denominational Christian Evangelist, originally from South Australia, who has lived with his wife in Hong Kong since 1964, thanked his family along with consular officials who helped publicise his case and facilitate his release.

North Korea's official news agency, KCNA, reported that the decision to expel Mr Short without penalty was partly in consideration of his age.

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