PYONGYANG, North Korea — An American missionary who has been jailed in North Korea for more than a year has appeared before reporters and is appealing to the U.S. government to do its best to secure his release.

The missionary, Kenneth Bae, made the comments Monday at what he called a press conference held at his own request.

Bae was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour group. He was accused of crimes against the state and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. He was moved to a hospital last summer in poor health.

He is the longest-serving American detainee in North Korea in recent years.

Bae expressed hope that the U.S. government will do its best to secure his release.