THE North Korea released for “medical reasons” this Wednesday, a Canadian pastor who was serving a life sentence of forced labor for subversion, the state news agency announced, KCNA. Hyeon Soo Limaged 61, was released during the visit of an official delegation from Canada THE Pyongyanginformed the agency, justifying that it was a humanitarian decision due to his health problems.
Lim was arrested in 2015, accused of subversive acts against the North Korean government. Canadian authorities have always denied these allegations. North Korea says Pastor Lim has admitted to all charges against him, including that he “heinously defamed” the system and the president. Kim Joung-un. However, it was never revealed what his criticisms would have been.
Missionary
When he was arrested, Hyeon Soo Lim was considered one of the most influential Christian missionaries in North Korea, a country he visited several times to work in orphanages and hospitals.
Some of the projects I participated in had links with partners of Jang Song Thaekuncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, arrested and executed for treason in December 2013.
Interviewed last year in Pyongyang by American television CNNthe pastor says that his job as an inmate was to dig holes to plant apple trees in the prison garden. “I’m not a worker and at first the work was hard,” he says.
Lim’s family has expressed concern about his health, particularly after the American student’s death last June. Otto Wrambier. The young man died days after being released from a North Korean prison.
Three Americans are still stuck North Koreaat a time when relations between Pyongyang and Washington undergo an escalation of statements from both sides.
(with AFP)
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