The South Korean government on Friday afternoon confirmed reports that a defector called Ko Hyon-chol’s was arrested in North Korea.

Seoul demanded Pyongyang immediate release Ko, and other South Korean citizens currently detained in North Korea.

“We strongly condemn that North Korea has arrested our citizen and is using the arrest for its state propaganda,” the Ministry of Unification (MoU) told NK News on Friday.

“Seoul demands the immediate release and return of our citizens, including Ko Hyon-chol, Kim Jeong-wook (arrested in October 2013), Kim Kook-kie (October 2014) and Choi Chun-kil (December 2012).”