Former US President Jimmy Carter departed on his mission to North Korea that US officials said is aimed at bringing home an imprisoned American.

Former President Jimmy Carter was preparing to leave for North Korea today to try to gain the freedom of an American imprisoned for illegally entering the communist nation, US officials said.

NORTH KOREA said yesterday it convicted and sentenced an American man to eight years in a labour prison and a fine equivalent to €524,000 for entering the country illegally and unspecified hostile acts.