Missing Australian student Alek Sigley freed from detention in North Korea, now safe and out of country

Alek Sigley has landed safely in Beijing after being released from detention in North Korea.

Safe: Australian student Alex Sigley smiles as he arrives at the airport in Beijing today after being released from detention in North Korea. Picture: Emily Wang/AP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed missing Australian student Alek Sigley has been released from detention in North Korea and is safely out of the country.

“He’s safe on Aussie soil at our embassy in Beijing,” Mr Morrison said.

He said he was released from detention this morning, has now left the country, Mr Morrison had earlier told parliament.

Mr Morrison said Mr Sigley has been released from detention in North Korea and is now safely out of the totalitarian country.

He is “safe and sound”, and in China, and it’s understood he will travel to Tokyo shortly

to be reunited with his wife, Yuka, who lives in Japan.

‘I’m good’

He emerged from his flight to Beijing, flashing a “peace” sign to waiting media.

“I’m OK, I’m OK. I’m good. I’m very good,” he told waiting media.

But he declined to reveal details of what had happened, responding with only “aah” when asked what happened in North Korea.

The 29-year-old Pyongyang university student lost contact with family and friends in Japan and Australia on Tuesday last week, and had fallen silent on social media.

Australian student Alex Sigley gestures as he arrives at the airport in Beijing on Thursday, Picture: Emily Wang/AP

Mr Morrison’s announcement was the first confirmation that he had been detained.

“Swedish authorities advised they met with senior officials with the DPRK and raise the issue of Alek’s disappearance,” he tells the House of Representatives,” Mr Morrison said.

“We were advised that the DPRK have released him from detention and he has safely left the country and I can confirm that he has arrived safely.

Swedes helped secure release

“On behalf of the Australian Government I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Swedish authorities for their invaluable assistance in securing Alek’s prompt release, which demonstrates the value of discreet behind-the-scenes work by officials in solving sensitive consular cases in close partnership with other governments.

“I’m sure we all could not be more pleased. We know where he is now safe.”

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said Mr Sigley’s release is “good news for our nation.”

“I join with the Prime Minister and welcoming this announcement and thank him for yesterday, the private discussion that we had again discreetly talking about this very issue,” he says.

‘Relieved, grateful’ family thanks Australia

Foreign Minister Marise Payne passed on the thanks of Mr Sigley’s family to the Australian people.

“His father has been advised. He is enormously relieved and grateful and has asked me to convey — the family has asked that we convey — their thanks to everyone who has expressed support to them for the last few,” she told the senate.

Alek Sigley and his wife, Yuka. Picture: Supplied

“May I express our deepest gratitude to Swedish authorities for their prompt action to secure Alex’s release. It does demonstrate the value of careful, behind-the-scenes work by officials in resolves cases like this in close partnership with other governments.

“I won’t be making further comment out of respect for Alek’s privacy.”

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong also thanked the Foreign Minister and the Swedes for their roles in securing Mr Sigley’s release.

Father speaks

In Perth’s south this afternoon. Mr Sigley’s father Gary emerged briefly from his home and told reporters he was relieved. Professor Sigley said he had not yet spoken to his son but he knew he was in Beijing.

“I have no idea what he plans to do. This has just happened,” he said.

“Alek is a very special young man and we are very proud of Alek and his achievements.

“I’m sure there will be a story to tell about this in due course.”

Mr Sigley grew up in Perth and went to high school at the elite Rossmoyne Senior High School, a government school that consistently ranks alongside the state’s most expensive private high schools. He moved to Canberra after high school and studied there.

Mystery disappearance

Mr Sigley had been living in Pyongyang as a student before his mystery disappearance.

He blogged frequently about life in North Korea and was in contact with family daily until last Tuesday morning.

Mr Sigley ran the Tongil Tours tour company and had been studying for a masters’ degree at Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung University, considered by North Korea watchers to be that country’s most prestigious university.

Mr Sigley grew up in Perth and studied in Canberra before moving to North Korea.

His father is a professor of Asian studies in Perth and his mother is Chinese-born.

Mr Sigley’s is the first known arrest of a foreigner in North Korea since that of American student Otto Warmbier, who was sentenced to 15 years hard labour for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster in 2015.

Mr Warmbier was repatriated to the US in a coma a year-and-a-half later, and died six days after his return.

with wires

Alek Sigley has been released from detention in North Korea and is safely on his way to Tokyo. Picture: Sigley family via AP