Canadian Pastor Sentenced to Life in Prison in North Korea
Following 10 months of detention, North Korea has sentenced Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim to life in prison due to his alleged "subversive plots and activities."
According to CNN, the state's official news agency, KCNA, reported that the Canadian pastor "committed anti-DPRK religious activities, conducted false propaganda among overseas Koreans," and allegedly helped a U.S. and South Korean conservative group in "aiding defectors from the north."
During Lim's trial, Canadian officials saw him for the first time ever since he was arrested in February. The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs has also said it is totally against the sentence, especially noting that Lim has health issues and is already of age.
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A family spokeswoman said the South Korean-born preacher traveled to North Korea for the purpose of helping with projects that his church established in Rajin City. The projects included various philanthropist support such as an orphanage, nursery, and nursing home.
The 60-year-old is the pastor of Light Korean Presbyterian Church in Toronto Canada, with 3,000 members. Lim's family said his love for the people of Korea fueled him to travel for over 100 times to be of service to the North.
However, the state's news agency said Lim "confessed" to the "heinous crimes" he committed against the North. On the other hand, some believe that he may have been forced to "confess."
His first confession was made in July, with the aged pastor reading from a statement during a news conference. The next one was at a Pyongyang church, where he said his biggest crime was indulging in activities that insulted the "highest dignity and system."
With the new Canadian government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Lim's family are hoping that the pastor will one day be brought home. The road home may be full of struggles for Lim since even before Trudeau took over, Canada has tried numerous times to see him personally and get him back to his family but all to no avail.
