Freed S. Korean worker returns home after 137-day detention in DPRK

SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- A South Korean worker was freed on Thursday from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after being detained in the territory for 137 days.

Yoo Seong-jin (C), a worker who was detained by North Korea, speaks  to the media upon his arrival at the South Korean Customs,  Immigration and Quarantine office, south of the demilitarized zone  separating the two Koreas, in Paju, north of Seoul, August 13, 2009,  after he crossed the border. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

CHRONOLOGY

Yu Seong-jin, a 44-year-old engineer of Hyundai Asan Corp., was seized by the DPRK authorities on Mar. 30 for publicly slandering its political regime, together with alluring a female DPRK worker to defect from the nation.

Yu had been working in the joint industrial complex at the DPRK's border town of Kaesong before being detained by the DPRK authorities.

Since late March, the South Korean government has made several attempts, including three rounds of government-level talks, to push for his release.

During the three-time negotiations, held on June 11, June 19, and July 2, the South Korean government repeatedly requested the release of the detainee, which was rejected by the DPRK.

The DPRK, meanwhile, announced that it deepened investigations on Yu, saying his actions were in serious breach of its law.