North Korea Says Canadian Diplomats Have Been Allowed to See Jailed Pastor
In what could be a sign of hope ever since Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim was sentenced to life imprisonment in North Korea last week, Canadian diplomats have reportedly been allowed to see and meet him.
According to CNN, Lisa Pak, a spokeswoman and leader at the South Korean-born pastor's church in Toronto, Canada, it was the first time that Pyongyang consular officials were allowed to meet with Lim.
Ever since Lim was arrested over 10 months ago by the North Korean government, Canadian officials who tried to get him out of prison were stopped each time they requested to meet him.
On Friday, a translator and two officials from Seoul's Canadian embassy were granted access to Lim and Pak said they were glad to see the pastor "at peace" and seemingly healthy.
"He knows that our congregation is praying for him. He wants us to know that he's doing okay," Pak said.
Somehow, the North Korean government gave Lim some leeway as the 60-year-old pastor told the Canadian officials that he was allowed to have access to his blood pressure medication.
Lim's family said earlier that they were hoping for better developments regarding his case now that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has taken presidency. His church members also said they will continue to pray for the minister's journey and are hoping for his return.
Although the administration before Trudeau has also made efforts in bringing the jailed pastor back to Canada, the efforts were always never enough as North Korea retained its cause that Lim was guilty.
The details of Lim's meeting with the officials have been relayed to his family. The family and church leadership are expected to share information about the proceedings soon.
Tuesday of last week, North Korea sentenced Lim to life in prison for allegedly committing numerous crimes against the government. It should be remembered that Canada and the United States are both discouraging people from traveling to the northern part of Korea.
