(CNN) -- The U.S. government pleaded Saturday for North Korean authorities to release 85-year-old Merrill Newman, with a spokeswoman saying officials are "deeply concerned" about him and another American being held in the isolated East Asian nation. "Given Mr. Newman's advanced age and health conditions, we urge (North Korea) to release Mr. Newman so he may return home and reunite with his family," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden. Washington's plea came on the day North Korean state media released print stories and video showing what they called Newman's "apology." University of California, Berkeley professor Steven Weber characterized it as "highly scripted political theater."
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Merrill Newman was detained in North Korea in October, after a trip to the Asian nation
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State news said he "apologized" for crimes, including killings during Korean War
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Family of another detained American thanks the White House for seeking their release
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An expert says that North Korea is trying to get the world's attention
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Atop the first of the four pages is the word "apology," according to video released by @placeholder.
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The reported message also touches on his return 60 years later to @placeholder, admitting that he "shamelessly ... had a plan to meet any surviving soldiers and pray for the souls of the dead soldiers."
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"I have been guilty of big crimes against the DPRK government and the Korean people again," @placeholder adds in the "apology."
Steven Weber
As @placeholder, the Berkeley professor said: "When it comes to North Korea, nobody knows very much."
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As Weber, the @placeholder professor said: "When it comes to North Korea, nobody knows very much."