Merrill Newman: 'I'm very glad to be on my way home'

North Korea has deported a US veteran of the Korean War who had been detained in the country since October.

State news agency KCNA says Merrill Newman was expelled on "humanitarian grounds" after confessing to "crimes" in the 1950-53 war and "apologising".

Mr Newman, 85, had been held on charges of "hostile acts" against the North, while visiting as a tourist.

"I'm very glad to be on my way home," Mr Newman told reporters after he arrived in the Chinese capital, Beijing.