At least he passed in friendly hands. RIP and condolences
As far as being there he might very well have been working for the CIA or another agency even if a last minute recruit. I understand North Korea looking a visitor as a threat/spy given their mindset and politics. But I am absolutely appalled at this kind of treatment. There is no excuse even if he was a spy. If nothing else they could've gained some PR miles if they outed a spy and tossed them right back.
Also there were many questions and issues of the treatment of US POWs during the Korean War including claims of brainwashing. One must wonder if he was given electroshock therapy as part of torture and/or brainwashing attempt. The say the missing or dead brain tissue is from trauma. One must wonder what he went through for stealing/vandalizing a poster.
