China Detains North Korean Defector For Helping American Missionary
By Stefan J. Bos Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (Worthy News)-- A North Korean defector has been detained in China for helping an American missionary cross into North Korea, Korean media said Sunday, January 17, citing Free North Korea Radio.
The arrested activist, who was only identified as Kim, reportedly helped Robert Park last month with crossing the frozen Duman (or Tumen) River, which marks China's border with the North. Kim was reportedly arrested in possession of video footage of Robert Park's Christmas Eve crossing.
"We've confirmed through various channels that Kim, who was staying at a hideout in Yanji, Jilin Province, was arrested by Chinese police last Friday," Kim Sung-min, the head of dissident station Free North Korea Radio, said Sunday, January 17, in comments monitored by South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo.
Kim has reportedly South Korean citizenship, but there was no immediate reaction about the detention from South Korean officials Sunday, January 17.
SPECIAL LETTER
Missionary Park, a U.S. citizen of Korean ancestry, claimed he had seen a vision from God of North Korea's liberation and redemption, his colleagues said, adding that he crossed the border shouting "I came here to proclaim God's love".
The 28-year-old Christian carried with him a letter urging North Korean leader Kim Jong-II to free political prisoners, including Christians, shut down "the concentration camps" where they are held, and open the borders to allow aid teams to enter.
He wrote: "Please open your borders so that we may bring food, provisions, medicine, necessities, and assistance to those who are struggling to survive. Please close down all concentration camps and release all political prisoners today, and allow care teams to enter to minister healing to those who have been tortured and traumatized." Park added, "All we are asking is for all North Koreans to be free, safe and have life. With Love, Respect and Goodwill towards All People."
Critics of the North Korean leadership have said it is against reform and that people have been tortured and even executed for opposing the regime or holding Christian worship services. Park has made clear he does not want the U.S. government to try to free him.
NORTH KOREA DETENTION
North Korea has confirmed it has detained Park for "illegally entering the DPRK (North Korea) through the DPRK-China border on December 24." "He is now under investigation by a relevant organ," Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency said in a December one-paragraph report. Critics have described Park's action as "reckless" and say it may complicate U.S.-backed talks on ending North Korea's nuclear program.
However Dr. Steven Price, a friend of Park, told Worthy News and its partner agency BosNewsLife that Park did not seek publicity. “We honor deeply Robert Park who went to North Korea to deliver Christ’s message of love and forgiveness and pray for his safe return.”
The United States State Department has expressed concerns about Park's situation and said Sweden, which represents US interests in Pyongyang in the absence of diplomatic relations, has offered to seek more information.
Praise God for Robert. I hope and pray that many North Korean People now have heard the name Jesus, so they may seek God to deliver them.
my God will be with you. in his strenght you shall truimph. light shall always overcome darkness. be couragous, you are a winner any day.
Praying!
" LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah." Psalms 3
Save Now LORD!
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Malachi 4:6
Save Now!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Amen!
God bless Robert Park! What an example of the early church in Acts! He's my hero! Would to God that we would ALL be that bold and fearless! God bless him, protect him, fill him, and use him!