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Published Date: February 8, 2010

Pyongyang’s decision to “forgive and release” American Christian activist Robert Park may be a sign of more flexibility in North Korea, some observers in Seoul say.

Robert Park had an emotional reunion with family members at Los Angeles International Airport after arriving on a commercial flight from Beijing, Arirang News says.

A thin and pale Park kept mum about his ordeal but his brother Paul told reporters that he seems to be in good condition.

Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), said Friday that the authorities had relented after Park “admitted his mistake,” UCA News says.

“North Korea’s attitude toward this kind of religious affair seems more open and flexible,” James Byun Jin-heung, a member of the Seoul archdiocese’s Korea Reconciliation Committee, said.

Park, a Protestant, marched across the border on Christmas Eve brandishing the Bible and shouting: “I brought God’s love! God loves you!” He was arrested immediately.

Most South Korean Church leaders condemned the Korean-American’s actions as doing more harm than good for relations between the Churches and the repressive state.

“For better relations with North Korea, provocative actions like Robert Park’s must never happen again,” Byun said.

Fr John Park Chang-il, the director of Corea Peace 3000, a humanitarian aid organization for North Korea, told UCA News that the North Korean authorities may believe that there was no benefit to holding him any longer.

“It is good that North Korea decided to release him without any condition, although his provocative action may have hurt the country and its people,” the priest said.

Reverend Lee Soo-bong, secretary general of the Christian Mission for North Korea, sees Park’s release in a less positive light.

“It does not mean that North Korea enjoys religious freedom and human rights. I don’t believe it,” he said.

“We can confirm the real intentions … after Park is actually released.”

SOURCE

Catholics want no repeat of Robert Park’s antics (UCA News)

Korean-American Missionary Robert Park Arrives in US (Arirang News)

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Tags: North Korea, Robert Park, South Korea
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