The family of a Canadian pastor serving a life sentence in North Korea is concerned for his welfare after the death of an American student after imprisonment there, and wants Canada to work harder to secure his release, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
Hyeon Soo Lim, who served at one of the largest churches in Canada, was sentenced to hard labor for life in December 2015 for what North Korea says was an attempt to overthrow the regime.
Family spokeswoman Lisa Pak said Lim’s family wants to see a more aggressive approach from the Canadian government following the death of American university student Otto Warmbier earlier this week, days after he was released from captivity in North Korea in a coma.
« The family is very concerned at this point, » said Pak. « They are hoping the Canadian government will turn (efforts) up a few notches in terms of active diplomacy and really start engaging. »
Pak said there have been no substantial developments in the case since December 2016 when Canadian officials visited Lim.
The family spoke with Canadian officials this week, who promised something different would be done, though they did not provide details, she said.
