Kenneth Bae Urges U.S. to Help Secure his Release in North Korea

This Morning- Tuesday, 1/21/14: Kenneth Bae's sister is asking the President and Secretary of State to help bring her brother home from North Korea. In a 'New Day' Exclusive, Terri Chung says she's scared about what may happen next.

Join us from 6-9am ET on CNN.

---------------

Reported Monday, 1/20/14:

Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen being held in North Korea, said in a statement Monday that he had committed a "serious crime" against North Korea, and that the nation does "not abuse human rights," according to China's state-run news agency Xinhua.

"I would like to plead with the U.S. government, press and my family to stop worsening my situation by making vile rumors against North Korea and releasing materials related to me, which are not based on the facts," he said before video cameras.

"I want to be pardoned by the North as soon as possible and return to my beloved family. For that, I ask the U.S. government, press and my family to make more active efforts and pay more attention."

Any statement made by Bae in captivity would be sanctioned by the North Korean government, whose widespread human rights abuses are known to the world.

The country has a long history of exacting false "confessions."

MORE.