Christian pastor who helped defectors killed by North Korea agents, activists say

A Christian pastor who had helped defectors from North Korea flee to China was murdered by North Korean agents, according to activists in Seoul, South Korea last Monday, May 2.

The Chinese national who is identified only by his surname, Han, has been a supporter of defectors from North Korea since 1993. Han's body was found dead at the border between a town in the northeastern part of China and North Korea.

Defectors relayed the story to Choi Sung-yong, the head of the group of families for South Koreans abducted by North Korea, saying that three agents from North Korea had been sent to the northeastern part of China just before the murder happened.

The said agents have already fled back to North Korea, says Choi.

Han served in one of the churches in Changbai, a Chinese county where may Koreans of ethnic origin live in. According to Choi, as reported by Korea Herald, Han's church was being suspected by North Korea as a hideout of many North Korean defectors.

Han's murder is now under investigation.

The murder happened after a massive defection of 13 North Koreans. The group included 12 female employees and 1 male manager. These people worked in a North Korean restaurant in the city of Ningbo, a Chinese eastern port.

North Korea reportedly accused South Korea of kidnapping the group and plans to retaliate by kidnapping huge numbers of South Koreans. The accusations have been denied by South Korea but as response to the threat made by North Korea, they are taking measures to protect their nationals abroad.

However, the plans of retaliation are not only for South Korea. Choi told Yonhap News Agency that North Korea is also planning to kidnap religious leaders in the neighboring Chinese towns at their borders.

Another church leader and deacon, identified as Kim, has also been missing since March 28 but it has yet to be confirmed whether has was abducted by the North or not.