John Short had with him some Gospel tracts in Korean `` which seem to be at the core of the detention , '' his wife said in a statement Wednesday . ` David Short , meanwhile , had with him some religious tracts , his wife says . The Australian government says it is aware of details of his detention . North Korea is already holding a Korean - American reported to have done missionary work . The secretive regime does n't tolerate independent religious groups .
David Short , meanwhile , had with him some religious tracts , his wife says . The Australian government says it is aware of details of his detention . North Korea is already holding a Korean - American reported to have done missionary work . The secretive regime does n't tolerate independent religious groups .