ICC Note:

A Canadian pastor in his sixties who was sentenced to life imprisonment in North Korea’s labor camps has been admitted to the hospital due to poor health. Pastor Hyeon Soo Lim was involved in North Korea for more than 20 years and has established orphanages and nursing homes in the country. In a confession that appeared to be scripted and forced, Lim stated that he had attempted to “overturn the social system” by “building a religious state.” Lim’s family is extremely concerned for the pastor’s health, which is quickly deteriorating.

11/3/2016 North Korean (The Gospel Herald) – A Canadian pastor who was arrested in North Korea last year for allegedly plotting to overthrow the state has been hospitalized because of poor health.

According to Canadian diplomats, Hyeon Soo Lim, pastor at Light Presbyterian Church in Toronto, has been receiving treatment in the hospital since August, UPI reported. His family has been informed of his deteriorating health.

In April, Canada sent a delegation to visit Lim in Pyongyang but did not disclose the details of their visit for Lim’s protection.

“The government of Canada is concerned for Mr. Lim’s rights and well-being,” Joseph Pickerill, spokesman for Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion, said, according to CBC News. “Consular officials are providing assistance to Mr. Lim and his family. We are grateful that we were able to visit him.”

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