Bae says committed 'serious crime'

EDITION:  INTERNATIONAL U.S. MÉXICO ARABICTV:   CNNi CNN en EspañolSet edition preferenceSign up Log in Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World Sport Entertainment Tech Travel iReportSHARE THISPrint Email More sharingRedditStumbleUponDelicious Kenneth Bae urges U.S. to help secure his release in North KoreaBy Judy Kwon and Josh Levs, CNNJanuary 21, 2014 -- Updated 1206 GMT (2006 HKT) STORY HIGHLIGHTSKenneth Bae's family apologizes to North Korea on his behalf Bae -- still being held in North Korea -- says he committed a "serious crime" The country has a long history of forcing false confessions Recently released Merrill Newman said his confession was false and forced

(CNN) -- Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen being held in North Korea, told reporters on Monday that he had committed a "serious crime" in the secretive nation and that he had not experienced abusive treatment by the regime.

"I would like to plead with the U.S. government, press and my family to stop worsening my situation by making vile rumors against North Korea and releasing materials related to me, which are not based on the facts," he said before video cameras in Pyongyang.

"I want to be pardoned by the North as soon as possible and return to my beloved family," Bae told journalists from several news organizations. "For that, I ask the U.S. government, press and my family to make more active efforts and pay more attention."

Bae's family did just that. His sister Terri Chung released a statement that later Monday, at one point, addresses North Korean leaders.

View the Original article