North Korea deports detained US war veteran

North Korea says it has deported an elderly US tourist and war veteran detained for more than a month for alleged hostile acts against the country.

North Korea said on Saturday it has deported an American veteran of the Korean War who had been detained in the country since October for what Pyongyang described as "hostile acts" against the communist country.

Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old from California, was deported "from a humanitarian viewpoint", the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, citing his "sincere repentance" as well as his age and health condition.

Newman, who has a heart condition, was plucked off a plane last month as he was leaving Pyongyang following a tourist visit. His family said he was detained on October 26 shortly before take-off from the North Korean capital.

The release came as US vice-president Joe Biden visited South Korea, the last stop on a three-country Asia tour that has already taken him to Japan and China.

Last week Pyongyang for the first time officially admitted holding Newman, saying he was detained for "hostile acts" after entering the country "under the guise of a tourist".

North Korea had accused him of committing crimes both as a tourist and during his participation in the Korean War.

The North also claimed that Newman masterminded espionage and subversive activities during the war and was involved in the killing of North Korean soldiers and innocent civilians.

Newsman, a retired financial executive who spent time in North Korea during the war, had released a video apology confessing to his crimes, published through state media.