Canadian pastor released by North Korea returns home

North Korea's Central Court on Wednesday released imprisoned Canadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim over health issue. He was serving life imprisonment after being convicted of anti-state activities two years ago.

Informing Lim's arrival to the country, Global Affairs Canada said in a statement: "Today, we join Pastor Lim’s family and congregation in celebrating his long-awaited return to Canada."

"Canada has been actively engaged on Mr. Lim’s case at all levels, and we will continue to support him and his family now that he has returned" the statement reads.

However after Lim's return to the country, his family requested people to allow their privacy to be maintained.

Lim (62) was imprisoned in North Korea in 2015. He had gone there for  humanitarian works.

The Canadian pastor was punished after he was accused of "defaming the supreme leadership, using religion to disrupt the country's system, helping American and South Korean to abduct North Korean citizens and spreading negative propaganda about the country abroad."

Cameron Ahmad, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office was quoted by the Canadian Press on Wednesday as saying: "Pastor Lim’s health and well-being remain of utmost importance to the government of Canada as we continue to engage on this case."

The Toronto resident Lim started the Light Korean Presbyterian Church almost 30 years ago. Apart from this, he also runs a small church for youth.

(Reporting by Souvik Ghosh)

Image: CNN TV grab.