Story highlights
State media: Matthew Todd Miller wanted to become "a world famous guy"
After his arrival, he tore his visa, it says
He also shouted his desire to seek asylum, according to state-run KCNA
For months he was held captive by the North Korean regime, not even sure what he would be charged with.
Matthew Todd Miller was convicted of committing “acts hostile” to North Korea and sentenced to six years of hard labor last week.
Saturday’s report in the state-run Korean Central News Agency boldly heaped blame on Miller, claiming his acts were a preconceived plan to gain notoriety.
The 24-year-old from Bakersfield, California, arrived in North Korea as a tourist in April.
After his arrival, he tore his visa at Pyongyang’s airport and shouted his desire to seek asylum, according to KCNA.
‘Rudely behaved’
State media described him as “rudely behaved,” saying he was sent to infiltrate prison as part of a United States campaign against North Korea.
“He perpetrated the above-said acts in the hope of becoming a world famous guy and the second Snowden through intentional hooliganism,” state media said.
Edward Snowden got asylum from Russia, where he fled last year after leaking classified U.S. government documents.
DPRK refers to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Its government is a communist dictatorship renowned for human rights abuses.
He planned to secure Bae’s release so both can serve as “witnesses” to the human rights violations in the nation, state media said.
“The crime committed by Miller Matthew Todd was prompted by his sinister political aim to deliberately slander the DPRK,” it said.
DPRK refers to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Its government is a communist dictatorship renowned for human rights abuses.
Washington demands release
Early Monday, the U.S. State Department demanded that North Korea release Miller and fellow American prisoner Kenneth Bae.
Fowle, 56, was arrested in June while traveling as a tourist. Holladay said that U.S. citizens are discouraged from visiting the country.
Bae, who was detained in 2012, has been accused of planning to bring down the government through religious activities. He was moved from a hospital to a labor camp.
Miller talks to CNN
Earlier this month, Miller told CNN’s Will Ripley that he “prepared to violate the law of DPRK before coming here. And I deliberately committed my crime.”
But Miller didn’t elaborate on what his “crime” was. He said he wouldn’t learn of his charges until he went to trial.
It’s unclear whether his statements were made freely or under coercion.
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A quiet California kid
Miller’s family lives in Bakersfield, California. Close friends and neighbors told CNN they were instructed by the family not to speak to reporters.
In a July interview, a neighbor told The Associated Press that Miller went to South Korea about four years ago to visit his brother and that he found a job teaching English.
He traveled to North Korea this year after arranging a private tour through the U.S.-based company Uri Tours, which takes tourists into North Korea.
Uri Tours has said it doesn’t have “any understanding of why” Miller ripped up his visa.
The company offers tours despite U.S. State Department warnings that U.S. citizens have been subject to arbitrary arrest and detention in North Korea.
“If he wanted asylum, why’s he trying to get out?” Kelly asked. “Now, he changes his mind? This is why the (U.S.) State Department encourages citizens not to go to North Korea.”
READ: Detained Americans speak to CNN
CNN’s Madison Park contributed to this report.