He had traveled to the country previously with no problems and had no reason to suspect that this time would be different , Chung told CNN 's Anderson Cooper . A court sentenced Kenneth Bae to 15 years of hard labor last month . The North Korean government has said it will not release Bae, who is serving a 15-year sentence for what the U.S. says are hostile acts against South Korea and other countries. State media say he has now `` started his life at a 'special prison ' '' The United States has repeatedly called for Bae 's immediate release .
A court sentenced Kenneth Bae to 15 years of hard labor last month . The North Korean government has said it will not release Bae, who is serving a 15-year sentence for what the U.S. says are hostile acts against South Korea and other countries. State media say he has now `` started his life at a 'special prison ' '' The United States has repeatedly called for Bae 's immediate release .