North Korea, one of the world’s worst oppressors of Christians, is suspected of invading China to kill a Chinese pastor who had been known to help refugees who fled the dictatorship of Kim Jong-un, according to an international ministry.
Voice of the Martyrs reported partner pastor Han Chung-Ryeol, 49, was brutally murdered on April 30.
“Han reportedly left his church building in Changbai (China) at 2 p.m. on April 30. His body, mangled beyond recognition, was discovered at 8 p.m. He had been repeatedly stabbed in his stomach and his head had been hacked with an axe. All of his personal belongings, including his cell phone, were stolen,” the ministry reported.
“He is believed to have been killed by North Koreans, who likely returned to North Korea following the attack,” VOM said.
Since establishing the church in the region along the border, Han was recognized for trying to help North Koreans who crossed into China.
“He would help in practical ways, like food or clothing and introduce each person to the gospel. Then he would send them back to share Christ inside North Korea and help their families,” VOM reported.
He “had helped orphans, sex-trafficked women, soldiers and the famine-starved, among others,” the report said.
VOM noted that three months ago, the North Korean government issued an order for Han to be kidnapped, taken into North Korea and interrogated.
“North Koreans often said they could ‘see his heart,’ which helped them trust him as he nurtured them spiritually,” VOM reported.
