American jailed for 8 years for crossing border into North Korea

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.

Aijalon Mahli Gomes acknowledged his wrong- doing during a trial at the Central Court, the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a brief report.

The North said last month that it arrested Gomes, 30, of Boston on January 25 for trespassing after he crossed into the country from China.