Alek Sigley found: Australian tour guide released from North Korea

Alek Sigley found: Australian tour guide released from North Korea

Alek Sigley, an Australian tour guide and student living in North Korea, who has been missing for more than a week, has been confirmed “safe and well” by PM Scott Morrison.

Last week, Travel Weekly reported that Australian tour guide and student Alex Sigley was missing in North Korea.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday revealed Sigley has left detention in North Korea and arrived safely in China. “I’m OK, I’m OK, yeah. I’m good. I’m very good,” Sigley told reporters waiting for him at an airport in Beijing.

Speaking in Perth, his father, Gary Sigley, told The Guardian the family were “over the moon” that the situation had been resolved, and he understood his son had been “in constant good spirits and well the whole time”.

Speaking in Parliament Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed that Sigley had been released from detention in North Korea and had arrived in China.

In a joint media statement from Morrison and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne, it was confirmed that Swedish authorities had advised the Australian Government that they met with senior officials from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Wednesday, and raised the issue of Sigley’s disappearance on Australia’s behalf.

“Earlier this morning we were advised that the DPRK had released Alek from detention, and he has now safely left the country,” the statement reads. “On behalf of the Australian Government, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Swedish authorities for their invaluable assistance in securing Alek’s prompt release.

“This outcome demonstrates the value of the discreet, behind the scenes work of officials in resolving complex and sensitive consular cases, in close partnership with other governments.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that we not only know where Alek is, but that he is safe.”

Sigley was expected to travel to Tokyo, where his wife Yuka Morinaga lives, later on Thursday, as reported by The Guardian. 

On Wednesday, Payne confirmed that the Australian Government had asked the Swedish special envoy visiting North Korea to raise the issue of Sigley’s whereabouts on Australia’s behalf.

https://twitter.com/NorthKoreaDPRK/status/1146579755921223680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1146579755921223680&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2019%2Fjul%2F04%2Falek-sigley-australian-student-released-from-north-korea-reports

This came after the Minister for Trade Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham told RN Breakfast that the government was seeking clarification about his whereabouts.

Smartraveller currently advises travellers against visiting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, owing to the country’s “very different laws and regulations affecting foreign visitors” and “the risks from intermittent DPRK threats against international interests.”

Latest News

  • News
  • Tourism

ATIA announces new director as Laura Ruffles steps down

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced the appointment of Danielle Russom as vice chair while Jamie Pherous replaced Laura Ruffles as director. The changes follow Laura Ruffles’ resignation from the Board. Laura joined the Board as an alternate director in December 2015, before becoming a full director in July 2019. During her time […]

  • News
  • Partner Content
  • Women In Travel

Women in Travel: Inside Travel Group’s Amanda Highfield on where there’s still work to be done

In travel, the issues around gender equality are complex. Whilst there are plenty of women who work in travel, the demographic of the industry is not always reflected at the top where men still hold a disproportionate number of roles. In this interview with Travel Weekly, Inside Travel Group’s national sales manager Amanda Highfield speaks […]

  • Hotels
  • Travel Agents

Club Med launches Endless Summer Sale offering up to 30% discounts for 2025 summer season

Travel agents are in for a treat as Club Med announces its highly anticipated Endless Summer Sale 2025, offering up to 30 per cent off on luxurious, all-inclusive holidays for next year’s summer season. The sale runs from 17 October to 2 December 2024 and promises unbeatable savings across a selection of Club Med’s sun-kissed […]

  • Hotels

Movenpick launches the 2024 Kilo of Kindness campaign

Movenpick Hotels and Resorts has announced the launch of its 2024 Kilo of Kindness campaign, inviting guests and local communities to contribute food items, clothing, and educational supplies. They have been anchored in the spirit of generosity, and this year, more than 75 hotels and resorts across 30 countries will come together to support their […]

  • Women In Travel

Today is your last chance to enter Travel Weekly’s Women in Travel Awards

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about entering this year’s Women in Travel Awards, then now is your time to make the leap. The Women in Travel Awards highlights the incredible work of women within the travel industry and is open to female-identifying talent across all levels of their careers. It takes just 10 […]

  • Conferences
  • First Nations
  • Tourism

Indigenous tourism drives economic growth: The World Travel & Tourism Council finds

Indigenous tourism is projected to contribute US$67 billion ($AU100 billion) to the global economy by 2034, a landmark World Travel & Tourism Council has found. This economic boom is fuelled by increasing demand for authentic cultural experiences, in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, among others. The report showcases the sector’s role […]