For the 10th year since 2014, being detained in North Korea,
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| ▲ Goo Byung-sam, Unification Ministry Spokesperson |
| ⓒ Yonhap News |
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, ‘The government urged for the immediate release of missionary Kim Kook-gi, who has been detained in North Korea for ten years (related article: ‘, “North Korea, Detains Missionary Kim Jung-wook for 4000 Days… Must Be Released Immediately”,
, ‘https://omn.kr/2a8p4).’,
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, ‘Goo Byung-sam, the Unification Ministry spokesperson, in a statement released on the morning of the 30th, stated, “Condemning North Korea’s illegal and inhumane actions,” and emphasized, “Strongly urging for the immediate and unconditional release of our citizens.”‘,
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, ‘The spokesperson mentioned, “Next month, our citizen Kim, a missionary, will have been forcibly detained and imprisoned for ten years under the Kim Jong-un regime,” explaining, “Kim’s wife, Mrs. Kim Hee-soon, writes letters and prays earnestly every day hoping for her husband’s safe return.”‘,
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, ‘Furthermore, “Despite the government’s repeated requests for the confirmation of our citizens’ well-being and their immediate repatriation, North Korea has not provided even minimal information,” pointing out that “Elizabeth Salmon, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, emphasized that the suffering and sadness experienced by the families reaches the level of ‘torture’.”‘,
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, ‘The spokesperson stressed, “North Korea must recognize, with utmost seriousness, the legitimate demands for the safety and lives of our citizens and the warnings from the international community as the issue will not just go away with time.”‘,
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, ‘He further stated, “The government will clearly communicate our determination for the protection of our citizens, the confirmation of the detainee’s well-being, communication with the families, and immediate repatriation to North Korea and will do our best for a prompt resolution.”‘,
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, ‘Missionary Kim Kook-gi began missionary activities in the Dandong area of China in 2003, operating shelters for North Korean defectors. In October 2014, he was arrested in North Korea and subjected to forced labor indoctrination (re-education through labor) after being taken to North Korea.’,
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, ‘According to the Unification Ministry, North Korea is currently detaining six South Korean citizens, including Kim Jung-wook and Choi Chun-gil, along with Kim Kook-gi, against their will for an extended period.’,
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