S.Korean Pastor Held for Spying in N.Korea

A South Korean named Kim Kuk-gi accused of spying in North Korea is an evangelical pastor, the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches in Korea said Friday. The organization demanded Kim's immediate release.

The GAPCK at a press conference on Friday said Kim, who is among the two South Koreans the North accuses of spying, was dispatched to proselytize in the Chinese border city of Dandong, China in 2003.

"Kim operated a shelter for North Korean defectors and preached but had nothing to do espionage," a spokesman said. It said Kim offered food and shelter to defectors who showed up at its doorstep.

North Korea announced late Thursday that Kim and another South Korean, Choe Chun-gil, were arrested last year in Dandong. State media said the two were working to smear North Korea.

The government on Friday sent the North a letter demanding their release, but Pyongyang refused to accept it.

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