Australian student detained in North Korea, freed

A 29-year-old Australian student detained in North Korea was freed and has safely left the country on Thursday.

Alek Sigley -- one of a handful of Westerners living and studying in North Korea -- disappeared without a trace around June 23, prompting a week of deep concern and frantic speculation about his fate.

“I’m OK. I’m good, I’m very good,” Sigley told reporters after arriving at Beijing airport.

Asked how he felt, he responded: "Great."

He went to the Australian embassy and was later seen again at the airport, where he smiled again and waved at reporters. He was expected to travel to Japan, where his wife still lives.

Sigley's father Gary, a professor of Chinese and Asian studies, told media in Australia that the family was "extremely pleased he is safe and sound".

Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison interrupted parliament to tell lawmakers that Sigley had "been released from detention in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" and said that "he is safe and well".

Morrison later said in a statement that Swedish authorities had helped secure the student’s release.

The case was complicated by Australia's lack of diplomatic representation in North Korea.

Morrison thanked Sweden for its help in securing Sigley's release.

Earlier this week Swedish special envoy Kent Harstedt travelled to Pyongyang, where he raised the issue with North Korean authorities.

"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Swedish authorities for their invaluable assistance in securing Alek's prompt release," Morrison said, hailing it as a triumph of "behind the scenes" diplomacy.