information. she s joining us now with details. barbara, what are you learning? reporter: well, wolf, swedish diplomats have visited this elderly veteran to bring him his heart medication, but of course, his family wants him home. killed three innocent reporter: north korean state media released video of detained american tourist, 85-year-old merrill newman reading a handwritten apology. and u.s. and western countries, there is misleading information and propaganda. reporter: newman admits he s guilty of big crimes when he fought for the u.s. in the korean war and now 60 years later, planning to try to meet up with anti-communist guerillas but was he coerced in a confession? the two biggest signs are the imperfect english in the statement as it was read by an american. the second sign is all the language that praises the regime. i think both of these things are
dead giveaways that it wasn t written by newman. reporter: newman s case is especially concerning due to his age and because no one is sure what north korea is up to. the thing that s most disturbing is that they seem to have racheted up the situation by going after somebody who has no particular cause for being detained in north korea and then holding him without explanation for over a month. reporter: american kenneth bay also held for over a year by north korea. his sister told cnn his convictions might have gotten him in trouble. he is a strong christian, a man of faith. i think his wanting to help and share that i think might have been interpreted as having hostile intentions. reporter: in the past, north korea has released americans after visits by prominent dignitaries. a propaganda victory in the eyes of the regime. 30 hours ago, euna lee and i