North Korea accuses released Australian student of spying

North Korea said on Saturday an Australian student who was expelled from the country after 10 days' detention was spying for news outlets.

Alek Sigley, 29 who was detained in North Korea since June 25, was released from detention after Swedish officials in Pyongyang met with North Korean government.

Sigley was an active social media user and also a regular contributor to international media organisations including NK News about his time in North Korea.

"Investigation revealed that at the instigation of the NK News and other anti-DPRK media he handed over several times the data and photos he collected and analysed while combing Pyongyang by making use of the identity card of a foreign student," the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

His latest post, uploaded on April 30, describes his dining experiences in Pyongyang, according to the NK News website.

North Korea often accuses foreigners detained in its country of espionage or "hostile acts".

KCNA said Sigley admitted his "spying acts" and repeatedly asked for a pardon... and repeatedly asked for our forgiveness for infringing on our sovereignty". It added that he was expelled from North Korea on Thursday.

On Friday Sigley said he was safe and well in Tokyo and intended returning to normal life. He did comment on the reason for his detention or on what happened to him in Pyongyang.