WASHINGTON — The United States Wednesday confirmed that former US president Jimmy Carter was in North Korea working to secure the release of an American national jailed for illegal entry.

President Carter "is on a private humanitarian mission to North Korea," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

"It's a mission to secure the release of Mr. (Aijalon Mahli) Gomes."

Carter, on a rare trip by a Western dignitary, was greeted at an official ceremony at Pyongyang airport by North Korean vice foreign minister and nuclear envoy Kim Kye-Gwan, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

Kim Yong-Nam, the North's number two leader and nominal head of state, had a "cordial" talk with Carter before arranging a reception for his party at the Paekhwawon State Guesthouse, KCNA said.

The Nobel peace laureate may leave Pyongyang on Thursday with Gomes, jailed in April for illegally crossing into the North from China, South Korea's Munhwa Ilbo newspaper reported.

Officials have expressed concern over the health of the 30-year-old English teacher. North Korean media has said he attempted suicide and has been treated in a hospital.

Carter served as US president from 1977 to 1981 and has made a career in diplomacy since leaving the White House.

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