North Korea deports detained US citizen December 7, 2013 - 2:24PM This file photo taken on November 9, 2013, and released on Novermber 30, 2013, by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows US citizen Merrill Newman reading a written apology for his alleged crimes both as a tourist and during his participation in the Korean War, while under detention in Pyongyang. The United States welcomed North Korea's release of the American Korean War veteran. North Korea says it has deported an American veteran of the Korean War who had been detained in the country since October for what Pyongyang described as ""hostile acts"" against the communist country. Merrill Newman, an 85-year-old from California, was deported ""from a humanitarian viewpoint"," North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Saturday, citing his ""sincere repentance"" as well as his age and health. Mr Newman, who has a heart condition, was plucked off a plane last month as he was leaving Pyongyang following a tourist visit. His family said he was detained on October 26 shortly before take-off from the North Korean capital. The release came as US Vice-President Joe Biden visited South Korea, the last stop on a three-country Asia tour that had included Japan and China. Last week, Pyongyang for the first time officially admitted holding Mr Newman, saying he was detained for ""hostile acts"" after entering the country ""under the guise of a tourist"." North Korea accused him of committing crimes both as a tourist and during his participation in the Korean War. The North also said Mr Newman masterminded espionage and subversive activities during the war and was involved in the killing of North Korean soldiers and innocent civilians. Mr Newman, a retired financial executive who spent time in North Korea during the war, had released a video apology confessing to his crimes, published through state media.