Fears have been raised for the welfare of an Australian student who vanished in North Korea in mysterious circumstances.
Alek Sigley, 29, a student at Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang has not been seen or heard from by friends and loved ones for more than 48 hours.
He was prolific on social media, regularly posting images and updates about his life in North Korea.
His last post was on June 24 where he posted a picture of a hotel that he said was due to open soon.
According to media in South Korea, he was taken into custody by North Korean officials.
Mr Sigley's family released a statement yesterday afternoon: "As of 1pm (AEST), it has not been confirmed that Alek has been detained in the DPRK,” it said.
“The situation is that Alek has not been in digital contact with friends and family since Tuesday morning Australian time, which is unusual for him.
“Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is therefore seeking to confirm his whereabouts and welfare.”
“Alek is an Australian-born Asian scholar and traveller who has visited, studied and lived in several countries in Asia. Alek can speak Mandarin and Korean fluently along with some Japanese.
“He is studying for a Masters in Korean literature at Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang. Alek’s family hope to re-establish contact with him soon.”
Australian officials said they were still working to try to establish his whereabouts.
“The embassy in South Korea is working hard to find him,” said a spokesman at Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“It has not been established positively whether or not he has been detained but we are working very hard to clarify that.”
Mr Sigley wrote an article for the Guardian three months ago in which he spoke about moving freely around North Korea with no chaperon and dining wherever he liked.
He is one of a small number of international students at Kim Il Sung University. He also runs a company which brings foreign students to North Korea for tours.
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