According to the North's Korea Central News Agency, Short has "deeply apologised" after he was arrested for allegedly distributing Bible tracts in Pyongyang on Feb. 16, the same day as the birthday of the DPRK's former leader Kim Jong-il.
In a statement reportedly to have been written by Short himself, the 75 year old confessed "that his activities were criminal acts hurting the Korean people's absolute trust in their leader".
"I realise the seriousness of my insult to the Korean people on February 16th because I made the Korean people angry and for this I truly apologise ... I request the forgiveness of the DPRK for my actions."
According to a biography posted on a Christian website by Gospel Attract, Short has previously been arrested in China on numerous occasions after doing evangelical work there and "speaking out about brutality against Chinese Christians".
His most recent arrest comes amidst pressure for the North to release Korean-American missionary Kenneth Bae, who was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in November 2012 after being accused of plotting against the government.