ROK pastor arrested in Russia still in limbo, raising fears of hostage diplomacy



News ROK pastor arrested in Russia still in limbo, raising fears of hostage diplomacy Experts say Baek Kwang-soon likely targeted for work with North Korean defectors, as Moscow and Seoul silent on his case Anton Sokolin July 12, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A North Korean man at Bongsu Protestant Church in Pyongyang on Sept. 7, 2008 \| Image: Eric Lafforgue The fate of a South Korean missionary who worked with North Korean defectors in Russia remains in question six months after his arrest on espionage charges, raising concerns that Moscow seeks to use him for hostage diplomacy with Seoul. Federal Security Service (FSB) officers arrested Baek Kwang-soon in Vladivostok in January, after he reportedly traveled to the Russian Far East city from China to carry out work for the Global Love Rice Sharing Foundation and help North Korean workers. The fate of a South Korean missionary who worked with North Korean defectors in Russia remains in question six months after his arrest on espionage charges, raising concerns that Moscow seeks to use him for hostage diplomacy with Seoul. Federal Security Service (FSB) officers arrested Baek Kwang-soon in Vladivostok in January, after he reportedly traveled to the Russian Far East city from China to carry out work for the Global Love Rice Sharing Foundation and help North Korean workers. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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ROK pastor arrested in Russia still in limbo, raising fears of hostage diplomacy

Experts say Baek Kwang-soon likely targeted for work with North Korean defectors, as Moscow and Seoul silent on his case

Anton Sokolin July 12, 2024

ROK pastor arrested in Russia still in limbo, raising fears of hostage diplomacy

A North Korean man at Bongsu Protestant Church in Pyongyang on Sept. 7, 2008 | Image: Eric Lafforgue

The fate of a South Korean missionary who worked with North Korean defectors in Russia remains in question six months after his arrest on espionage charges, raising concerns that Moscow seeks to use him for hostage diplomacy with Seoul.

Federal Security Service (FSB) officers arrested Baek Kwang-soon in Vladivostok in January, after he reportedly traveled to the Russian Far East city from China to carry out work for the Global Love Rice Sharing Foundation and help North Korean workers.

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