North Korea Sentences Baptist Missionary to Hard Labor for Life

North Korean officials have sentenced a Baptist missionary from South Korea to hard labor for life for allegedly attempting to establish underground churches in the nation.

Kim Jong-uk was convicted of spying and other “anti-state” violatons on Friday during his trial. According to reports, he admitted to the court that he had founded a church in the country. The Associated Press also reports that the missionary also helped some North Korean residents escape to South Korea.

Prosecution had sought the death penalty for Jong-uk, but his defense attorney asked for mercy, noting that the missionary “sincerely repented of his crimes and apologized for them.”

Jong-uk has been held since October, and attempts by the South Korean government to demand his release have been futile. Instead, the North Korean government has reportedly accused South Korea of “psychological warfare” against the country.


http://christiannews.net/2014/06/07/north-korea-sentences-baptist-missionary-to-hard-labor-for-life/