North Korean Newspaper Says Imprisoned Christian Kenneth Bae Disappointed in U.S.

An American Christian being held in North Korea says his health is failing and he feels abandoned by the U.S. government.

The recent comments made by Kenneth Bae were published in a North Korean government-sponsored newspaper, causing critics to believe it is the Asian country's latest attempt to gain leverage against the United States.

The July 30 interview was published in the pro-North Korean newspaper Choson Sinbo, based in Japan, and quotes Bae on his alleged feeling that the U.S. is doing nothing to advance his case and that he fears he will be sent back to a labor camp soon ,despite his severe lung and liver health concerns.

Terri Chung, Bae's sister who lives in Seattle, Washington, told the Associated Press that these recent comments were shocking to hear, especially since they have been trying to inquire about Bae's health condition for months now. This is the first time they've heard from Bae since April.

"After months of silence, it is devastating to hear Kenneth talk about 'feeling abandoned by the United States government,'" Chung said in a statement, adding that her brother has "significant health concerns," and that his relatives are concerned that "he is enduring very difficult conditions."

A U.S. State Department official said in June that freeing Bae was still on the top of its priority list.

"This is the third U.S. citizen that has been detained in North Korea," the official said, adding that there is "obviously no greater priority for us than the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad."

Bae, a Christian missionary working a tour company in North Korea, was arrested in 2012 was for allegedly trying to overthrow the North Korean government. He was sentenced in April to 15 years imprisonment.