Release International

South Korean aid worker and Christian, Choi Yong-hun, has just been released after serving nearly four years in a Chinese jail for trying to help North Koreans defect. He was tortured behind bars for his faith.

There were emotional scenes at Seoul airport yesterday (Wednesday) as Choi was reunited with his wife and two daughters.

Choi was arrested in 2003 for his part in the well publicised Yantai boat incident in which a group of 30 North Koreans tried to escape from China to South Korea by sea.

One of his four fellow defendants, a North Korean called Park Yong-chol, was repatriated to his homeland after serving two years in a Chinese jail. Park's fate remains unknown.

Choi's family had to wait 90 minutes before he finally came through the arrivals gate at Seoul airport because he was immediately detained by the South Korean authorities for questioning.

Release International partner, Tim Peters, of Helping Hands Korea was there to greet Choi. He says: 'When he finally did come out, he was rejoicing in the Lord as he embraced his family and fellow activists. He told of torture at the hands of prison guards and fellow prisoners, mainly due to his Christian faith.

China insists on dealing harshly with North Korean defectors and those who try to help them, often repatriating refugees to their homeland.

Andy Dipper, Release International's Chief Executive, says: 'Thank God for the release of Choi Yong-hun and his reunion with his family. Pray that China will do an about-turn and start to help North Korean refugees who are fleeing their troubled land.'

The plight of North Korean refugees escaping into China is featured in a new RI DVD Prayer Works. Refugees at a safe house in China tell their stories to Release International. They include Peter (22), who was caught by Chinese authorities, arrested and sent back to face ten months' hard labour.

During that time he saw a Christian woman executed. Even so, he plans to return to share his faith with his countrymen: 'I strongly believe God's plan is to train me and send me back to North Korea to evangelise my people. Even though I may be put in prison or killed I will go.'

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