North Korea frees Canadian church leader ‘on sick bail’

North Korea frees Canadian church leader ‘on sick bail’
Hyeun-soo Lim, the Korean Canadian church leader sentenced to life in prison with hard labour, has been freed today (9 August) “on sick bail”, says a North Korean state news agency. Convicted in December 2015 by the country’s Supreme Court of numerous charges, including an attempt to overthrow the government, he had been detained . . . Read More

Pope’s Korean visit highlights plight of North’s Christians

Pope’s Korean visit highlights plight of North’s Christians
Pope Francis has arrived in South Korea and is calling for peace and dialogue between the two Koreas instead of ‘displays of force.’ His five-day visit is the first time a Pope has visited the Korean Peninsula in 25 years. It coincides with the appeals of two detained American Christians, . . . Read More

Bae ‘in better health’

The mother of imprisoned Korean-American Christian Kenneth Bae has told the BBC his health has improved after two months of medical treatment. However, she said she fears his health will suffer if he is returned to a labour camp. Last November, Bae was sentenced to 15 years’ hard labour, convicted . . . Read More

North Korea rescinds invitation to U.S. envoy

North Korea rescinds invitation to U.S. envoy
North Korea has rescinded its invitation to a special U.S. envoy who had planned to visit Pyongyang with hopes of bringing jailed American Kenneth Bae home. “We are surprised and disappointed” at the decision, according to a statement released Friday by U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf. “We have sought . . . Read More