North Korea has rescinded its invitation for a U.S. envoy to visit Pyongyang to secure the release of a detained American, according to the U.S. State Department. Robert King, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights, was due to travel from Tokyo to Pyongyang on Friday to request the release of Kenneth Bae, who was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for subversion, NBC News reported. Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the U.S. is "surprised and disappointed by North Korea's decision" and remains gravely concerned about Bae's health, which has deteriorated since his detention.
