SEOUL/OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canadian Michael Spavor has jet skied with Kim Jong Un, felt the ground shake from a North Korean nuclear test, and now it appears, China has detained him. Spavor, a business consultant with deep ties to North Korea, is being investigated on suspicion of endangering state security, Chinese state media reported. When North Korean leader Kim launched a bid to engage the world and attract international investment this year, Spavor was uniquely positioned to play a role. Now based in the border city of Dandong in China, Spavor has been cultivating ties between potential Chinese investors and North Korean officials. Since then he’s mastered the Korean language – with a distinctly North Korean accent – and maintained regular contact with many people in North Korea, including Kim Jong Un.

Source: Egypt Independent December 13, 2018 08:48 UTC