NYU student detained in North Korea says he hopes for quick release, tells family not to worry

Won Moon Joo, a South Korean student at New York University, is interviewed at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Joo, who is being detained in North Korea says he hopes to be released soon and has told his family not to worry too much about him. Joo was presented to the media in North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kim Kwang Hyon) (The Associated Press)

PYONGYANG, North Korea – A South Korean student from New York University who is being detained in North Korea says he hopes to be released soon and has told his family not to worry too much about him.

Won Moon Joo was presented to the media in North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, on Tuesday. The 21-year-old said he was being treated well, hopes to be able to go home soon and asked his family not to worry.

He acknowledged breaking North Korean laws, but such admissions are often recanted by detainees after they're set free. Detainees are also often coached ahead of time by North Korean officials as to what to say.

Joo, who has permanent resident status in the U.S., was arrested in April for allegedly entering the North illegally across the Chinese border.