N. Korea says it deported U.S. tourist and war vet

SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea said Saturday it has deported an elderly U.S. tourist and war veteran detained for more than a month for alleged hostile acts against the country.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said it made the decision because 85-year-old Merrill Newman had apologized for his alleged crimes during the Korean War and on a recent trip to the country and because of his age and medical condition.

Newman has yet to speak publicly and it was unclear Saturday where he'd been deported to. It wasn't clear if his alleged confession shown on state TV last month was coerced.

He was taken off a plane Oct. 26 by North Korean authorities while preparing to leave the country after a 10-day tour.

A former group of South Korean guerrillas say Newman advised them as they fought behind enemy lines during the war. Some members have expressed surprise that Newman would take the risk of visiting North Korea.