American detained in N. Korea has consular visit

WASHINGTON — Swedish diplomats acting for the U.S. have visited an American man detained by North Korea weeks ago.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki (SAH’-kee) said the Sweden Embassy had consular access Friday to Jeffrey Fowle.

Sweden handles consular matters for Americans in North Korea because Washington and Pyongang do not have diplomatic relations.

Psaki urged North Korea to release Fowle and two other Americans it currently holds so they could return home to their families.

The detention of the 56-year-old Fowle, who is from Ohio, was made public two weeks ago, when North Korean state-run media reported he was detained for acts inconsistent with a tourist visit. It hasn’t provided details about the accusations against him.

Psaki did not elaborate on Fowle’s case or say where he’s being held.