A missing Australian student feared imprisoned in North Korea has reportedly been found safe and is now in China.
Previous reports stated that the 29-year-old Korean literature student Alek Sigley had been arrested at a university in North Korea last week.
According to NK News , he is now "safe and well" and due to head to Tokyo.
Previously his family in Australia released a statement saying they had not been able to contact the scholar, who has studied in and visited Pyongyang over several years.
Alek was studying a master's degree at Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung University and also ran a travel company called Tongil Tours.
With no diplomatic presence in North Korea, Australia has mounted an aggressive search for Sigley through third parties.
NK News reports that the student's supposed release comes after the Swedish Government sent a special envoy to North Korea, with some believing the mission was linked to his disappearance.
A previous statement from a family spokesperson said: "It has not been confirmed that Alek has been detained in (North Korea).
"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."
The Sigley family statement described Alex as an Australian-born Asian scholar and traveller who has visited, studied and lived in several countries in Asia.
