David Sneddon
David Sneddon
David Sneddon is a 36 year-old American who disappeared on August 14th, 2004 while hiking in China's Yunnan lrovince.
He was on a missionary trip for the Church of Latter Day Saints in China.
[2]Sneddon had also taught English in South Korea.
Speculation varies from a possible fall in the mountains to theories that he was kidnapped and is being used as a tutor by Kim Jong Un in North Korea.
Background
Sneddon grew up in a Mormon family in the state of Nebraska.
Missing
While on a missionary trip in China 12 years ago on August 14th, Sneddon went missing.
He was hiking in the Yunnan Province, Republic of China when he completely disappeared.
The Chinese government suggested 24-year-old Sneddon died while hiking through the Tiger Leaping Gorge.
[0] [2]
When Chinese police and the U.S.
Embassy could not find him, China theorized that David fell to his death in Tiger Leaping Gorge.
This theory was disproved when David’s father and two of his brothers went to China and re-traced his footsteps.
They documented a dozen eyewitnesses who saw and interacted with David before he disappeared more than 70 miles beyond the gorge, after traversing it safely.
Chinese and U.S. joint investigations were ultimately deemed “inconclusive.”
David remains the only American to disappear in China without an explanation since the 70’s.
His passport and bank account remain unused and untouched.
He was nowhere to be found in local tourist establishments or hospitals; police confirmed he was not a crime victim; his airline tickets went unused and his backpack unclaimed.
He just disappeared.
Respected experts on North Korea and Asian Affairs have stated it is most likely that David was abducted by the government of North Korea due to his Linguistic talents.
David was fluent in Korean and skilled in Mandarin Chinese.
[2]Some reports believe he may have been mistaken for an operative on the Asian Underground Railroad that provides safe passage for North Korean refugees through China.
North Korean agents are known to operate with China’s permission to repatriate refugees in the area David disappeared.
Japanese press have reported that that David was the English language tutor of Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of North Korea.
[18]Reports also claim that he lives with his wife and two children in Pyongyang, where he teaches English to children.
United States Investigation
Members of the U.S.
Congress have introduced a joint resolution (S.
Con.
Res.
30/H.
Con.Res.
- to urge investigation of David’s likely captivity by North Korea.
High-profile cosponsors include recent Presidential contender Senator Marco Rubio, Senate East Asia Subcommittee Chairman Cory Gardner, House Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch.
The resolution directs the U.S. intelligence community to investigate David’s likely captivity in North Korea in partnership with the U.S.
State Department.
U.S. officials have yet to conduct a thorough, coordinated investigation into David’s likely captivity, or to speak in detail with experts on David’s case.
David’s likely situation should be alarming to every American.
North Korea’s admitted official state policy is to kidnap citizens of foreign nations to serve as language trainers for its espionage program.
The North Korea Freedom Coalition is currently petitioning the U.S.
Congress to pass this resolution to help bring David back home to the United States.
House Chairmen have stated that 25 total cosponsors, including 10 Foreign Affairs Committee members, are necessary to bring David’s resolution to a majority vote under suspension of the rules.
Only five more cosponsors and three committee members are needed to reach this goal.