Swedish Embassy works with Aijalon Mahli Gomes . Boston - area native serving an eight - year sentence in North Korea . The American was , according to South Korean news reports , an English language teacher with strong Christian convictions , who had taken part in anti-North Korean protests in the South . News reports : He recently attempted suicide . Swedish Embassy represents U.S. interests in the nation .
Swedish Embassy works with Aijalon Mahli Gomes . Boston - area native serving an eight - year sentence in North Korea . News reports : He recently attempted suicide . Swedish Embassy represents U.S. interests in the nation .