U.S.-based Radio Free Asia says the United States is holding talks with North Korea through the New York channel over the illegal entry of a Korean-American missionary into North Korea.

The report quoted a State Department official as saying Wednesday that although North Korea’s detainment of Robert Park has been confirmed, Park’s exact location has yet to be determined. The official said Washington and Pyongyang are discussing the matter through their New York channel.

The report added that the State Department contacted Park’s family and asked them if they had any information regarding Park’s illegal entry into the communist state.

Meanwhile, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said in a statement Tuesday that the North Korean government has confirmed that it is holding a U.S. citizen and that an investigation is pending.

Kelly said the U.S. is working with the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang to seek consular access to the detained Korean American. The Swedish Embassy represents U.S. interests in the country because the U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea.

Earlier on Tuesday, North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said a U.S. citizen illegally entered North Korea through the border area with China. The North’s announcement came five days after Park is believed to have crossed into the North.