The U.S. State Department says a Korean American detained by North Korea since last November has been permitted to speak to his family.

State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters on Wednesday that Jun Young-su is being well cared for and was allowed to speak to his family over the phone.

Toner added that Swedish diplomats have visited Jun six times since March and are continuously calling for regular consular access at U.S. request. Sweden represents Washington’s interests in the North because the United States and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations.

Toner called for Jun's immediate release on humanitarian grounds so he can be reunited with his family.