(Photo : Christianity Daily) Pastor Hyeon Soo Lim, the lead pastor of Light Presbyterian Church in Toronto, has been detained by the North Korean government, and he has not been in contact with family or friends since January 31.
Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim, Korean Canadian pastor who has been detained in North Korea for over 10 months, has been sentenced to hard labor for life, according to a Dec. 16 report by the Associated Press.
Lim was found guilty of "subversive plots and activities" against the North Korean government, North Korea's news agency KCNA reported.
Lisa Pak, a spokeswoman for Lim's family and church (Light Presbyterian Church), said she is hopeful that this would give more diplomatic opportunities.
"Despite the severity, we do have hope because it means that the possibility of diplomatic talks for his release can move forward rather than just stay in limbo," Pak told CNN. "We're still asking people not to give up. We're asking people to keep praying and we're asking the government not give up."
Voice of America (VOA) reported on December 8 that though Canadian government officials have met with North Korean officials twice, there has been little progress. None of the Canadian officials were able to meet Lim and confirm his health status since his detainment.
"Mr. Lim has been in detention since February and despite repeated requests, Canadian officials have not been able to meet with him to verify his health and well-being," François Lasalle, spokesman for Canada's Department of Global Affairs, was quoted as saying by the New York Times. "The trial was our first opportunity to see him. This is a serious violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the right of states to have consular access to their citizens."