Family of American jailed in North Korea renews calls for his release as health concerns mount

In this 2011 family photo provided by Terri Chung, Kenneth Bae, right, poses for a photo with is daughter, Natalie. Kenneth Bae, an American tour operator and Christian missionary, was arrested in North Korea last November, when he was accused of "hostile acts" against the government, and has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor — farming beans, potatoes and other vegetables. His family is renewing calls for his release as concerns about his health mount. (AP Photo/Courtesy Terri Chung)

LYNNWOOD, Wash. - The family of an American tour operator and Christian missionary who has been detained in North Korea for the past nine months is renewing calls for his release as concerns about his health mount.

Kenneth Bae was arrested last November, when he was accused of "hostile acts" against the government, and has been sentenced to 15 years of hard labour. His sister, Terri Chung, says his recent letters home have portrayed troubling health conditions, including blurred vision that could be associated with his diabetes.

The family is planning a prayer vigil at a Seattle church on Saturday to raise awareness of the case and put more pressure on U.S. authorities to win his release.

Bae is at least the sixth American detained in North Korea since 2009. The others eventually were released.