The trial of a Korean-American tour operator who was jailed in North Korea has heard that he had smuggled in anti-Pyongyang materials into the country.

Kenneth Bae is accused of attempting to overthrow the regime and was sentenced to 15 years hard labour at the end of last month.

The court has heard that between 2006 and 2012, Bae had been sent to China by a missionary group to set up "plot-breeding bases" with the sole aim of toppling the regime in Pyongyang.

It's also reported that he toured churches in the United States and South Korea, preaching of the necessity of overthrowing the North Korean leadership.