Alarming new theory emerges from friend of Aussie student missing in North Korea
New theories have emerged about what may have happened to an Australian student living in North Korea who has suddenly become uncontactable.
Perth-based relatives last heard from Alek Sigley, 29, on Tuesday, when the tour guide and prolific blogger suddenly went silent on social media and other online channels.
New theories emerge
Theories over his online disappearance range from Mr Sigley being held prisoner by Kim Jong-Un's regime to Pyongyang imposing a relatively harmless media blackout to stop him communicating at a time of heightened political tensions.
Mr Sigley's family has shut down his social media accounts amid mounting international concern about the Australian man's fate in the Hermit Kingdom.
However reports suggest somebody - likely the North Korean government - has now assumed control of Mr Sigley’s social media accounts in the last 24 hours.
On Friday, a new worrying theory was put forward, suggesting Mr Sigley may have been arrested in connection with a series of stories he wrote for NK News.org, a website run by North Korean defectors.
North Korea takes a harsh stance against defectors and cracks down heavily on its citizens who try to flee across its southern border.
‘That was a mistake on his part’
Dr Leonid Petrov is a long-time friend of Mr Sigley and an expert on the Asian region and international relations at the ANU in Canberra. Speaking to news.com.au, he suggested Mr Sigley’s mysterious disappearance could be tied to the articles.
“I think it was quite a reckless move on Alek’s part to start publishing articles on the NK News platform, which is known for its hostile attitude to North Korea,” he said.
“It’s not that the contents of his articles were critical, in fact it doesn’t matter what the content was at all, it’s the association with the platform, which is run by North Korean defectors.”
Mr Sigley has written for a number of international publications but none would irk the North Korean government as much as this.
“Publishing on the NK News is as bad as writing for Amnesty International. That was a mistake on his part,” Dr Petrov said.
Silence comes ahead of Trump meeting
Another theory suggests that the North Korean government could have silenced Mr Sigley in preparation for a meeting between US president Donald Trump and the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un as he could be seen as a security threat.
Dr Petrov believes North Korea may have shut down his friend's communication channels ahead of Donald Trump's expected visit on Sunday to the demilitarised zone that separates North and South Korea.
"I don't think there is any danger to his wellbeing. Perhaps he is being deliberately cut off from means of communication. It is a normal practice," he told the ABC.
A further unfounded theory purports that the 29-year-old, who heads a travel company that runs tours for foreign visitors, has been involved in some kind of accident.
Australian government still in the dark
On Friday, Mr Sigley's Australian family said they'd still had no word from him.
"There has been no change in what is known about the status of Alek," the family said in a statement, reiterating they were responsible for shutting down his social media accounts.
"He remains out of digital contact with friends and family, and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to seek clarification as to his whereabouts and welfare."
Australian officials are no closer to working out what has happened to him, despite making urgent inquiries with secretive North Korea, with the help of Sweden.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said other countries had offered to help.
"It's very troubling and concerning to me and I'm sure it is to his family as well," he said.
"We'll continue to focus very sharply on that, and seek to clarify what exactly has occurred and then take steps from there."
With AAP
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