Donald Trump should be given the credit for Australian exchange student Alek Sigley's release, an Australian North Korean watcher has claimed.

The 29-year-old Perth post-graduate student was released a week after being detained for posting social media messages about life in the secretive communist nation.

Michael Johnson, a former Liberal MP who visited North Korea in 2006, 2007 and 2009, said Mr Sigley would have been detained and tortured for at least another year if it wasn't for President Trump visiting the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas only four days ago.

'Now we diplomatically and politically owe the Americans something and you can bet your bottom dollar, a favour will be asked and its delivery expected,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

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A former Liberal MP who has been to North Korea three times says Donald Trump should be given the credit for Australian exchange student Alek Sigley's release (pictured on Thursday)

Sigley's release from North Korea also occurred just four days after President Trump visited North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in the demilitarised zone

Mr Sigley's release came two years after 22-year-old American university student Otto Warmbier died following his visit to North Korea.

Mr Warmbier was arrested in January 2016 and sentenced to 15 years hard labour for attempting to steal a propaganda poster from his hotel room in Pyongyang.

The American was in a coma when he died in June 2017 shortly after returning to the United States.

With Mr Sigley found 'safe and sound' in China on Thursday, Mr Johnson credited President Trump's detente with Pyongyang and its Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un for sparing the Australian - who ran tours in North Korea - from the same fate as Mr Warmbier.

'I suspect in the best case scenario, another 12 months in physical detention and being roughed up,' he said.

'The worst case scenario, depending on what his crime was, is that he could have been Australia’s version of Otto Warmbier - an utter tragedy so easily avoided.'

Mr Sigley's release occurred two years after 22-year-old American university student Otto Warmbier (pictured in Pyongyang) died following his visit to North Korea

Mr Johnson, who is now a company director, said Mr Sigley's situation highlighted the need for Australia to open an embassy in Pyongyang for the first time in more than 40 years.

'I suspect Canberra will have a post in Pyongyang inside 18 months now, two decades later than could have been the case,' he said.

'The Australian government and bureaucracy is completely Asia illiterate.

'There are no towering figures who know Asia. They are all textbook diplomats, what I call academic diplomats.'

Australia hasn't had an embassy in Pyongyang since November 1975, and it had only opened for seven months.

North Korea-focused news site NK News first reported on Thursday the masters student from Perth was travelling to Tokyo, Japan

Former Liberal foreign minister Alexander Downer in 2002 cancelled plans for Australia to reopen a mission in North Korea, even though Pyongyang had diplomats stationed in Canberra.

Under existing arrangements, Australians in North Korea who want consular assistance are advised to visit the Swedish or British embassies in Pyongyang.

Michael Johnson said Donald Trump's North Korea visited helped Alek Sigley

Mr Sigley had last made contact with his family on June 25, sparking concerns he had been detained in Pyongyang.

North Korea-focused news site NK News first reported on Thursday the masters student from Perth was travelling to Tokyo, Japan.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday afternoon confirmed Mr Sigley had been released from detention.

At Australia's request, Swedish delegates met with North Korean officials on Wednesday to raise Mr Sigley's disappearance.

The Perth man was then released on Thursday morning and was seen arriving at the airport in Beijing.

Mr Sigley pictured with his wife Yuka Morinaga, whom he married in Pyongyang in 2018

The masters student smiled and gestured the peace sign as he was swarmed by journalists while walking through the terminal.

Mr Sigley said he was 'okay' and 'very good' but did not comment on his detention in North Korea.

Mr Sigley's Japanese wife Yuka Morinaga, whom he married in Pyongyang in 2018, is based in Tokyo.

He expected to travel to the Japanese capital later on Thursday where he will be reunited with Ms Morinaga.

Mr Morrison said Mr Sigley was on 'home soil' at the Australian Embassy in Beijing.

'Alek is safe and well,' Mr Morrison told the House of Representatives.

'On behalf of the Australian government, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Swedish authorities for their invaluable assistance in securing Alek's prompt release,' the Prime Minister said.

Mr Sigley was released from detention in North Korea on Thursday morning. He had not been heard from since June 25, sparking fears he was imprisoned in Pyongyang

STATEMENT FROM PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON We are pleased to announce that Mr Alek Sigley has today been released from detention in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). He is safe and well. Swedish authorities advised the Australian Government that they met with senior officials from the DPRK yesterday and raised the issue of Alek's disappearance on Australia's behalf. Earlier this morning we were advised that the DPRK had released Alek from detention, and he has now safely left the country. On behalf of the Australian Government, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Swedish authorities for their invaluable assistance in securing Alek's prompt release. This outcome demonstrates the value of the discreet, behind the scenes work of officials in resolving complex and sensitive consular cases, in close partnership with other governments. We couldn't be more pleased that we not only know where Alek is, but that he is safe. Advertisement

Mr Sigley's father (centre) has been advised of his release. 'He is enormously relieved and grateful,' Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne told Parliament

Mr Sigley has been studying Korean Literature at Kim Il Sung University since April 2018 while also operating a tour company called Tongil Tours.

He was believed to be the only Australian living in North Korea.

He has become one of the most prominent Twitter users inside Pyongyang and has amassed more than 4,000 followers.

Mr Sigley also ran a blog that provided updates on his life in North Korea - even stating he wouldn't get involved in controversial topics that would land him in hot water.

The 29-year-old is expected to travel to Tokyo on Thursday. His wife Yuka Morinaga, whom he married in Pyongyang in 2018, is based in Tokyo

Mr Sigley has been studying Korean Literature at Kim Il Sung University since April 2018 while also operating a tour company called Tongil Tours. He was believed to be the only Australian living North Korea