A US citizen detained for more than a month in North Korea has confessed to committing "indelible crimes" against the state, according to state media.

The official Korean Central News Agency said Merrill Newman had ordered the deaths of North Korean soldiers and civilians in the 1950-53 Korean War.

It published what it described as a "statement of apology" by Mr Newman.

Mr Newman, now 85, did serve during the Korean War but his family say he is the victim of mistaken identity.

The BBC's Lucy Williams on reports.