North Korea has confirmed that it is detaining an American missionary who illegally entered the communist country on Christmas Eve. The missionary crossed into the reclusive state in an attempt to shed light on human rights violations in the North.

North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the U.S. citizen illegally entered North Korea through the border area with China. He is being questioned by North Korean authorities on his intent.

KCNA, however, did not reveal the name or any other personal information about the detainee.

North Korea’s confirmation comes five days after the missionary thought to be Robert Park crossed the Chinese-North Korean border.

The 29-year-old American of Korean decent belongs to an international campaign for North Korean human rights called “Freedom and Life For All North Koreans: 2009.”