North Korea on Monday released Australian Christian John Short, just days after refusing to consider a request to release a South Korean missionary.

John Short, 75, reportedly apologized in a written statement for his “anti-state” religious activities prior to his release.

Short originally from Barmera, Australia but who has lived in Hong Kong for 50 years, had been arrested on February 16 – North Korean founder Kim Il Sung’s birthday – for spreading Christian materials.

According to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency, Short acknowledged committing a crime that hurt the Korean people’s trust in their leaders.

The KCNA