Missionary Choi Choon-gil Detained for 10 Years... Government Says "North Korea Must Release Unconditionally"

Ministry of Unification Issues Statement Under Spokesperson's Name
North Korea Detains Six Including Missionaries for Extended Period

The government has called for the immediate release of North Korea, which is detaining our citizens including missionary Choi Chun-gil.

Missionary Choi Chun-gil detained in North Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

The Ministry of Unification issued a statement on the 3rd in the name of its spokesperson, saying, "This month marks the 10th year since our citizen, missionary Choi Chun-gil, was forcibly detained by North Korea," and criticized, "North Korea's arbitrary and unjust detention of the missionary is a blatant act to suppress freedom of religion and belief and to silence the international community's calls for improvement of human rights for North Korean residents."

Missionary Choi was engaged in relief and missionary activities targeting North Korean defectors around Dandong, China, when he was arrested by North Korean authorities in December 2014. In June 2015, he was sentenced to a lifetime labor reform sentence, and since then, his life and whereabouts have been unknown for 10 years. Including him, six people?missionaries Kim Jeong-wook and Kim Guk-gi, and three North Korean defectors with South Korean nationality?are currently detained in North Korea.

North Korea has released foreign detainees from countries such as the United States and Canada, but has held our six citizens, including missionary Choi, in long-term detention ranging from 8 to 11 years.

Three forget-me-not badges wishing for the repatriation of abductees, detainees, and Korean War prisoners of war. Photo by Yonhap News

The Ministry of Unification stated, "Without a fair and public trial by an independent and impartial court, our citizens were sentenced to unreasonable and excessive punishments, and procedural justice was not guaranteed during the arrest and detention process," and "We strongly condemn the continued arbitrary detention of the six individuals to this day."

It added, "The North Korean authorities have not provided even the minimum information such as confirmation of life or death regarding our citizens who were illegally arrested and detained, and the suffering of the detainees' families has been worsening for years," emphasizing, "We urge the immediate and unconditional release of our citizens who are being illegally detained."

The government plans to prioritize the protection of its citizens and confirm the life status of detainees and facilitate possible communication among families through international cooperation. It also stated that it will do its best to resolve the issue, including continuing efforts to clearly convey to North Korea the people's will for their immediate repatriation.