North Korea: Yoo Sang-Joon now safe in S Korea
Jan 08 2008
Postings >> North Korea

A North Korean Christian detained in China for helping his compatriots escape Pyongyang's brutal regime is now safe in South Korea.

It was feared that Yoo Sang-joon might be repatriated to North Korea where imprisonment or even execution would have been his likely punishment (7x7, November 27, 2007). Of all North Korean's many 'dissidents' in jail, Christians receive some of the worst abuse.
 
But Christian Today has confirmed RI partner Helping Hands Korea's cautious hopes that Yoo was repatriated to his adoptive home of South Korea, where he also holds citizenship.

The three defectors arrested with him in China in August, however, have probably fared less well: the online news site, The Daily NK, quotes Yoo as saying that all three have been sent back to North Korea.

Yoo devoted his life to helping North Koreans seek asylum in safe countries after he managed to escape to South Korea. His own story is tragic: he lost his wife and one son to famine in North Korea – and his elder son died trying to cross the Mongolian border.

Yoo told The Daily NK that he would no longer be able to work in China – but would continue to 'look for paths to quietly help' refugees trying to flee North Korea.

Thank God for Yoo Sang-joon's determination to continue his dangerous work.

Ask God to bless and protect all those involved in helping North Korean refugees escape Pyongyang's repressive regime.