Australian missionary John Short holds his written apology, in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on March 3, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

PYONGYANG - An Australian missionary accused of repeatedly committing "anti-DPRK" religious acts in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been expelled, the country's official news agency KCNA said on Monday.

John Alexander Short, who was arrested on Feb 18 for his "hostile acts" by spreading Bible pamphlets, admitted his crimes and pleaded for mercy, said the KCNA.

Short apologized for his acts which violated the country's law and hurt the Korean people's trust in their leader. He also admitted having brought thousands of pamphlets in Korean language dating back to 2012.

Short is an ex-convict who committed similar crimes by preaching his religion in other countries, according to his apology statement released by the KCNA.

Since Short, reportedly 75-year-old, is advanced in years and has admitted his guilt, the DPRK decided to expel him out of the country.