Who Is Detention of Alek Sigley? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Alek Sigley was born on November 3, 1989, making him 35 years old in 2025. An Australian national, he gained international attention in June 2019 when he was detained in North Korea under unclear circumstances. Sigley, a student of Korean literature at Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang, was known for his deep interest in North Korean culture and history. He advocated for engagement with the hermit nation and sought to promote understanding of its society through his writings and social media.
| Occupation | Other |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 3, 1989 |
| Age | 35 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country |
Popularity
Detention of Alek Sigley's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Alek Sigley stands at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall and weighs around 165 lbs (75 kg). His athletic build and keen interest in travel often kept him on the move, aiding his engaging lifestyle while living in a restricted environment.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status (Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Husband/Wife)
As of 2025, Alek Sigley is known to be in a committed relationship with a fellow university student, although he has chosen to keep details about his partner private. Given his previous experiences in North Korea, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining his personal life away from public scrutiny. Sigley has expressed gratitude towards his family, particularly for their support during his difficult times of detention and after his return to Australia.
In May 2018, he married his Japanese wife in Pyongyang. Guests of the wedding included South Korean celebrities Nikolai Johnsen and Carlos Gorito and Russian scholar Andrei Lankov. Sigley is said to have travelled to North Korea at least ten times before electing to enroll in tertiary education there.
Net Worth and Salary
Alek Sigley's net worth is estimated to be around $500,000. Much of his income stems from diverse sources, including his writing, digital content creation, and potential speaking engagements related to his unique experiences. While exact salary figures are not publicly disclosed, Sigley's ability to navigate the complexities of academics and media has afforded him a comfortable lifestyle.
Career, Business, and Investments
After returning from North Korea, Sigley pursued a career in digital content creation, focusing on insightful commentaries about North Korea and its culture. His investment efforts include participation in various online platforms and collaborations with experts in Asian studies, providing him with both a platform to share his story and opportunities for potential growth in the media sector.
Sigley visited the country as an exchange student in 2012. Sigley decided to start his own tour company on his fifth visit to North Korea in 2013. Sigley's tour company set itself apart from others by offering language classes from 2016 onwards. The first was held after the detention of Otto Warmbier, with Sigley in attendance as one of the participants.
Social Network
Alek Sigley has a significant presence on various social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. He uses these platforms to engage with his audience, sharing updates about his life as well as informative content related to North Korea. His popularity rose after his detention, leading to a strong following of those interested in his experiences and perspectives.
In an article written for The Guardian, Sigley recounted that on Tuesday 25 June, he was approached in the internet room of the university's dormitory while he was finishing off homework about a North Korean short story ahead of an afternoon class, and ordered to attend a meeting.
He was then ushered into a black Mercedes Benz, which took him to an undisclosed location, where he was detained for nine days in a room with no clock, completely cut off from the outside world, where he was made to write forced confessions to "crimes" he allegedly committed during his time studying in the country.
When he was finally released from detention, he was made to read a "letter of apology" confessing to "threatening world peace", "infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK", among other heinous acts, while acknowledging that his human rights had been respected.
Education
Alek Sigley completed his undergraduate studies in Korean Literature at the Australian National University before moving to North Korea to continue his education at Kim Il-sung University. His academic journey reflects a profound dedication to understanding the nuances of North Korean society and culture.
Sigley is fluent in Chinese, Japanese and Korean, holds a bachelor’s degree in Asian studies and philosophy from the Australian National University, and has also studied at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Fudan University and Sogang University.
