North Korea (International Christian Concern) — It’s been nearly 12 years since Kim Jung-wook, a South Korean Christian missionary, was arrested for his faith while in North Korea. His family hasn’t been allowed to contact him since his arrest, and his current condition and whereabouts are unknown. 

On Oct. 8, 2013, North Korean authorities took Jung-wook into custody after the missionary allegedly brought religious items into the country. Officials have been less than forthcoming about the missionary, as well as two others who were detained. 

According to an NK News report from March 2025, “authorities have refused to provide even minimal information about the detainees, including confirmation they are still alive.”  

Open Doors reported in January that before his arrest, Jung-wook worked as a Christian missionary in Dandong, China, serving refugees from North Korea. He reportedly shared the gospel of Jesus with them and provided them with shelter and food, the report explained. It goes on to say that Jung-wook aided others under the radar until his inner circle was unknowingly endangered by North Korean spies who reportedly talked him into traveling to North Korea. 

According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in February 2014, Jung-wook “was forced to confess his alleged crimes at a press conference, including working to establish underground churches.” 

Three months later, in May 2014, Jung-wook was given a sentence of life imprisonment for crimes including “conspiracy to subvert the State, … anti-State propaganda and agitation, … [and] espionage.” 

In September 2024, the U.S. Department of State denounced Jung-wook’s imprisonment in a press release. 

“[Jung-wook], along with five other South Koreans, is believed to remain in detention in … [North Korea], some of them having been incarcerated for more than 10 years,” the statement read. “[North Korea’s] practice of unjustly detaining missionaries and perceived political opponents is a blatant attempt to curtail freedom of religion or belief, silence individuals, and limit access to outside information. We condemn the DPRK’s systemic violations and abuses of human rights and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those unjustly detained in North Korea.” 

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) called for prayer in September for Jung-wook and the other missionaries being held in North Korea. 

“We continue to remember three South Korean missionaries who are serving life sentences in North Korea: Pastor Kim Jung-wook, Pastor Kim Kook-kie, Pastor Choi Chun-gil. All three were charged with spying for South Korea and have been held incommunicado for more than a decade. Pray that their whereabouts would be made known, and lead to justice.” 

Story by Lynn Arias 

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