North Korea released New York University student Joo-Won Moon on Monday, six months after detaining him for crossing the country's border from China.

CNN reports the young man, a South Korean national and United States resident, was set free as a "humanitarian measure" by the North Korean government.

According to a South Korean Unification Ministry official, Moon was handed over to his native country at the Panmunjom truce village along the border. State authorities intend to question Moon on his experience while captive in the totalitarian state.

Twenty-one-year-old Moon is a New Jersey resident and U.S. green card holder. The student decided to take a semester from studying at NYU to travel the country, but later left overseas after he was unable to find work in the U.S.

A North Korean news agency reported that Moon was apprehended by the state when he attempted to enter the country illegally by crossing the Yalu River, which borders North Korea and China. He told CNN in a May interview that it was his intention to be caught, in order to make a statement.

"I thought that by my entrance to the DPRK -- illegally, I acknowledge -- I thought that some great event could happen and hopefully that event could have a good effect on the [country's] relations" said Moon, referring the longtime feud between North and South Korea. He admitted he didn't know exactly what event could have occurred as a result of actions however.

New York University spokesperson John Beckman expressed relief that the student had been recovered.

"He and his family have been in our thoughts. We're relieved to learn of his release and glad for this good outcome," said Beckman.

North Korea is reportedly holding three more South Korean citizens, as well as a Korean-Canadian pastor, for alleged crimes against the state. Two of the captives have already been sentenced to a lifetime of hard labor.