Alek Sigley: Diplomat who secured release of Australian from North Korea felt ‘great relief’

It remains unclear why the student, who says he will not be doing media interviews, was detained in North Korea

The Swedish diplomat who secured the release of 29-year-old Australian, Alek Sigley, from North Korean detention said the moment he was told Sigley could leave with him was one of "great relief and great joy".

Sigley was freed from detention in North Korea on Thursday after going missing for more than a week, and on Friday released a statement pleading for privacy and saying he wants to return to "normal life".