(VOVworld) – The Republic of Korea confirmed on Sunday that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) had detained 21-year-old Joo Won-moon, a Republic of Korea national and a US green card holder.

Cora Fabian, a neighbor of Joo Won-moon, a Republic of Korea student detained on April 22, spoke to the press on Saturday in front of Mr. Joo's family home in New Jersey. (Photo: The New York Times)

Seoul has not yet determined whether Joo attempted to illegally enter the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. An official from the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Unification said his department is still trying to gather information on Joo’s travels and the circumstances of his arrest.

North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the student Joo Won-moon was detained on April 22^nd after crossing the Yalu River from Dandong, China. The KCNA said Joo is being questioned and has admitted to breaking North Korean law by attempting to enter the DPRK illegally.