June 25, 1999
Web posted at: 4:24 p.m. EDT (2024 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A U.S. citizen has been arrested in North Korea, possibly in connection with a business venture there, State Department spokesman James Rubin said Friday.

The government of North Korea confirmed to Swedish authorities that the American was detained on June 17, Rubin said.

The United States was urging North Korea to provide Swedish diplomats with quick and early consular access to the detained American, in accordance with conventions that require "quick access" in such cases, he said.

The individual "is being investigated for alleged violations of law," Rubin said.

He said the charges against the American -- whom he declined to identify -- "have something to do with their efforts to build a hospital and a garment manufacturing business in North Korea, is my understanding."

He refused to provide more details, saying he was prevented from doing so because of U.S. privacy laws.

Washington has no formal diplomatic ties with Pyongyang and relies on Sweden to represent U.S. interests in the isolated Communist state.

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