North Korea reportedly detains Christian missionary

Last updated on: February 20, 2014 at 7:27 am by CNA Daily News

North Korea reportedly detains Christian missionary 2014-02-20T07:27:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Pyongyang, North Korea, Feb 20, 2014 / 12:27 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The North Korean government has allegedly detained a 75-year-old Christian missionary named John Short, possibly for distributing Christian pamphlets.

“I know he’s courageous and he’s in God’s hands,” Short’s wife Karen told The Associated Press.

“I believe that at the right time that the right thing will happen and he will be released,” she added, saying she had been “shocked” by her husband’s detention.

Short reportedly had Korean-language Christian literature with him, and his wife said that could be the reason for his detention.

“He knew North Korea was not a tourist destination but he cares about the people and he wants to help,” she told Agence France Presse.

The Shorts, originally from Australia, are currently living in Hong Kong.

Short arrived in North Korea the morning of Saturday, Feb. 15, as part of a regular tour group. Reports indicate that North Korean officers detained him and a Chinese companion, telling them they would be taken to the airport and deported.

Short’s wife told Agence France Presse he never arrived at the airport.

Australia’s foreign affairs department is working on the situation through the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang.

Short previously traveled to North Korea last year, also as part of an organized tour. He was arrested multiple times for preaching Christianity in mainland China. His biography on the Christian website Gospel Attract reports that he was arrested several times in China for “speaking out about the brutality against Chinese Christians.”

Short and his wife have owned the Hong Kong publishing house Christian Book Room for 15 years. The company distributes Bibles, calendars and tracts, Agence France Presse reports.

North Korea severely restricts religious activity, allowing only groups officially recognized by the government. The country’s government views foreign missionaries as seditious.

“There's risk involved,” Short’s wife told the AP. “He knew that too, but when you know what you must do, you do it.”

She said she and her husband recognize that North Korea doesn’t welcome Christians.

“But that doesn't mean we stand by and don't do anything because we care for the situation and we pray about it but sometimes you have to do more than talk.”

The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights said in a Feb. 17 report that the North Korean state considers the spread of Christianity a “particularly serious threat” because it “challenges ideologically the official personality cult and provides a platform for social and political organization and interaction outside the realm of the State.”

North Korea is also holding Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen, on charges of seeking to overthrow the government. He was arrested in November 2012 and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

February 20, 2014

Cardinal Sandri confirmed as head of Eastern Churches congregation

Next Post

February 20, 2014 Nigeria archbishop laments failure to stop Boko Haram

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was the mother of Jesus?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ruth Sarah Mary Elizabeth