Australian Missionary Detained in North Korea

An Australian missionary is in police custody in North Korea.

Officials detained 75-year-old John Short for allegedly handing out Christian literature.

Short owns a Christian bookstore in Hong Kong and traveled to Pyongyang with a tour group from Beijing.

His wife told Agence France Presse that North Korean officers took him from his hotel early Monday morning.

Religious activity is forbidden in North Korea and foreigners are routinely detained and arrested.

American missionary Kenneth Bae is currently serving a 15-year sentence.