Church pleads to Canadian government to work for release of pastor in North Korean jail
The Light Presbyterian Church in Mississauga, Ontario, has made a public plea to the federal government to secure the release of its pastor, Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim, who is currently serving a life sentence in North Korea.
In the statement released this week, the church urged government officials to get involved in the process of securing the pastor's release.
"We know that in both cases the highest level of government officials, including Prime Minister Trudeau himself, were instrumental in securing the release of these fellow Canadians," the statement read, as reported by The Star.
The statement was referring to the cases of Kevin Garratt, a Christian aid worker who was incarcerated in China for two years and Homa Hoodfar, a professor who was imprisoned in Iran for 112 days.
Garratt was deported back to Canada on Sept. 15, a week after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to China. Hoodfar was released on Sept. 26.
"We urge the Canadian government to demonstrate the same attention and determination when engaging in diplomatic talks with the North Korean officials," the statement continued.
Global Affairs spokesperson Kristine Racicot said the federal government is concerned about Lim's predicament and stated that it has been working on the case since it began.
"Minister (Stéphane) Dion has met with Pastor Lim's son and consular officials are providing assistance to Mr. Lim and his family." Racicot said in an email to The Star. "In the interest of Mr. Lim's case, no further information can be shared," she added.
Lisa Pak, a spokesperson for Lim's family, confirmed that the Canadian government has been in contact with them but she stated that there has been no communication with the North Korean government.
Pak said Lim was last seen on television in January when he was interviewed by CNN. She added that there had been worries about Lim's health at the time and she said the concerns have increased because they do not have any information.
She said Lim's family was encouraged by the release of Hoodfar and Garratt.
Lim went to North Korea on Jan. 31, 2014, to engage in a humanitarian mission. As reported by The Star, he was arrested in February 2015 for "harming the dignity of the supreme leadership" and sentenced to hard labor and life imprisonment.
