American Citizen Who Denounced the US on North Korean TV Reportedly Bipolar, Mother Says He Wanted to 'Protect Latinos' [Video]
An American citizen illegally crossed into North Korea and gave a speech denouncing the U.S. The man is believed to be bipolar and has not been imprisoned by North Korean authorities, unlike previous American captives.
Texas native Arturo Martinez crossed illegally into the Hermit Kingdom in November. He appeared on North Korean state television on Sunday to give a speech denouncing the U.S., according to the Associated Press. In his speech, he apologized for crossing into the isolated Asian nation but thanks them for their hospitality. He added he was not being held prisoner.
Martinez, 29, gave his speech at a press conference held at the People’s Culture Palace. He condemned the U.S., in particular its militarism and what he said were corrupt politics. He said he would seek asylum in Venezuela.
"I have taken up a risky journey to the DPRK so that I can pass on some very valuable and disturbing information I felt that its government would appreciate," Martinez said, according to CNN. "I've chosen the Democratic People's Republic of Korea only due to its mostly socialistic way and due to its very powerful military. It's continued to defy Americans and pluralistic power and influence throughout its history."
Martinez also talked about UFOs, the CIA’s role in the cocaine trade and “ultrasonic” devices that implant voices in people’s minds
Patricia Eugenia Martinez of El Paso, Martinez's mother, says her son is bipolar of El Paso. She said her son previously tried to enter North Korea by crossing a river but was caught and sent back to the U.S. before he accomplished his mission.
According to the Washington Post, in September, South Korean authorities arrested an American attempting to swim across the Han River into North Korea. It was not confirmed at the time if this was Martinez. However, the man said he was crossing "in order to meet with supreme leader Kim Jong-un."
After being caught, Martinez was placed in a psychiatric facility in Texas but did not stay there for long, CNN reports.
"Then he got out," she said. "He is very smart, and he got the court to let him out, and instead of coming home to us he bought a ticket and left for China. He took out a payday loan online and left for China. He said he wanted to protect Latinos, and he worried about the world and about people," she added about her son.
Patricia added that her son "loves to read and write and work on the computer."
"He loved to help poor people," she added. "He is our only child."
Martinez’s status in North Korea remains unknown despite the fact he said he was not detained.
Watch Martinez’s speech:
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