Tacoma Man’s Release Delayed

Tue., Nov. 26, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

North Korea agreed to release a Tacoma man arrested as a spy three months ago, but the release ran into “complications” Tuesday and was delayed, U.S. officials said.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said Monday that Evan C. Hunziker, 26, was scheduled to arrive in Tokyo Tuesday evening along with Rep. Bill Richardson, who helped secure the deal.

But Hunziker’s father, Edwin, said Monday night that Richardson “doesn’t know if he’s going to get him or not.”

Hours later, Master Sgt. George Bieber, the spokesman for U.S. military forces in Japan, said the turnover had been delayed at least until Wednesday afternoon.

Richardson arrived in North Korea Monday night in a bid to win the release of Hunziker, who was arrested and charged with spying when he crossed from China into North Korea on Aug. 24.

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