[imText1]It was recently revealed that an American citizen of Korean origin had been arrested by the Chinese police and imprisoned for three months.
Radio Free Asia reported that Rev. John Yoon (age 68), who has been protecting and assisting North Korean defectors in the areas of Qingdao, Beijing and Yanji, got arrested on May 9 by the Chinese police and had been imprisoned in the Yenji city prison.
Rev. Yoon’s wife explained the reason for this sudden notice to the public as “because he (Rev. Yoon) was not officially under indictment, we were worried that it would have a negative influence for him if we let the media report on him, so we have been watching silently. Because he will be officially indicted on August 24, we have decided to report it to human rights organizations and media.”
“The consulate in Shenyang made an opportunity so our son visited him. He said (Rev. Yoon) is keeping up, but is having a difficult time,” said Mrs. Yoon.
It has been known that Rev. Yoon have not stopped evangelization activities in the prison, and has been praying for forced deportation back to the US.
Grace Yoon, Rev. Yoon’s last daughter, said, “what father mainly did was to secure lodgings for defectors, and to be mostly responsible for their living. Because the danger of arrest is so great when defectors work outside, father gave them work to do inside home in order to protect them more safely.”
Rev. Yoon have sold in South Korea and US crosses and other handmade goods made by North Koreans, and supported the living of the defectors with the earnings and donations.
In 1997, Rev. Yoon went into Najin-Sunbong Area (another one of the special areas) in North Korea and managed a noodle factory for one year in order to feed hungry North Korean brethren.
Ms. Grace Yoon added, “For father’s release we have requested help, and reported to the US State Department, the House of Representatives and the aides. We also requested assistance from South Korean and American human rights organizations and soon we will hold signature seeking campaigns in South Korea.”
Bae Je Hyun, board member of the Citizen’s Coalition for Human Rights of Abductees and North Korean Refugees, who had been discussing about the problem of Rev. Yoon and assistance of North Korean defectors issue said, “We have requested to hold special prayer sessions to South Korean and American church leaders (for Rev. Yoon) and we are going to officially plead to the government of China.”
