U.S. officials said that North Korea has reneged on its invitation for a State Department official to visit, dashing hopes for the release of imprisoned American missionary Kenneth Bae.

Ambassador Robert King, an expert on human rights issues in the North, had been expected to visit Monday, with Bae himself telling a pro-North newspaper last week that the visit could result in his freedom following more than a year in Northern custody.

However, on Sunday the invitation was reportedly withdrawn, with no word yet as to North Korea’s reasons.

The canceled meeting comes as North Korea has also, in recent