Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim, Canadian Pastor Imprisoned in North Korea, Released on 'Sick Bail'

Hyeon Soo Lim
Hyeon Soo Lim, the Canadian pastor who was sentenced to a life term of hard labor in North Korea for "crimes against the state" in December 2015, has been released, the country's official news agency says. AFP

Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim, a Canadian pastor who was serving a life sentence of hard labor in North Korea, was released today, the country's official KCNA news agency has claimed.

"Rim Hyon Su, a Canadian civilian, was released on sick bail according to the decision of the Central Court of the DPRK on August 9, 2017, from the humanitarian viewpoint," it said, using the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

In a statement, a spokesperson for his family expressed relief over the pastor's return.

"We are relieved to hear that Reverend Lim is on his way home to finally reunite with his family and meet his grand daughter for the first time," Lisa Pak said in statement to CNN.

"There is a long way to go in terms of Reverend Lim's healing. Therefore, in the meantime we ask the media for privacy as he reconnects with his loved ones and receives medical attention."

The family expressed gratitude to the Canadian, North Korean and Swedish governments.

"We want to thank the global community for the continued prayers and support and we also ask that the world does not forget the people of North Korea," the statement read.

Pastor Lim, 61, had been doing humanitarian work in North Korea since 1997 and had visited the isolated country more than 100 times prior to his arrest, according to his Toronto church, the 3,000-member Light Korean Presbyterian Church.

North Korea's highest court said the South Korean-born pastor had attempted to overthrow the government and undermine its social system with "religious activities" for the past 18 years. At the time of his capture in 2015, the pastor had a "very serious health problem, very high blood pressure", his church said.

Yesterday, a Canadian government delegation traveled to Pyongyang to discuss Pastor Lim's case: "Pastor Lim's health and well-being remain of utmost importance to the government of Canada as we continue to engage on this case," a Trudeau spokesperson said. "As this is an active case, we will not provide further comment at this time."

One month into his sentence, Lim told CNN he works eight hours a day, six days a week, with rest breaks, digging holes for the planting of apple trees in the prison orchard. He had not seen any other prisoners, and was not allowed contact with the outside world.

While charges against Lim had lacked specifics, the pastor said he believed they stemmed from his continued criticism of the North's three generations of leaders.

"I admit I've violated this government's authority, system and order," Lim said in the interview.  "I used to think they deified their leaders too much, but as I read the memoirs of both Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, they never called themselves gods," he added.

The pastor also said he asked the authorities for a copy of the Bible, and revealed that he continues to pray for the unification of North and South Korea, and that no one will ever have to suffer through the same experience he has.

"I hope I can go home someday," Lim said. "Nobody knows if I will ever go home, but that is my hope. I miss my family. I am longing to see them again, and my congregation."

CBC notes that a number of Christian missionaries have been arrested in the past, with some of them only allowed to return home after intervention by high-profile US political figures.

North Korea is ranked #1 on Open Door USA's World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.