North Korea has announced it will release US citizen Robert Park, who is being held on charges of entering the country illegally.

The 28-year-old religious activist walked from China to North Korea across the frozen Tumen river on Christmas Day. Two fellow activists say he crossed the border shouting in Korean, "I am an American citizen. I brought God's love. God loves you and God bless you." Mr Park was immediately arrested by North Korean border guards and nothing had been heard from him since.

Mr Park reportedly wanted to hand North Korean leader Kim Jong-il a letter in which he called for the release of political prisoners. The North Korean government says the activist has admitted his mistake and will be therefore be forgiven and released.

Photo: The frozen Tumen river with North Korea on the far bank (Wikipedia)