Canadian delegation in North Korea to discuss case of imprisoned Mississauga pastor,

Canadian envoy in N. Korea a second time to plead case

A Canadian government delegation is in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang to discuss the case of imprisoned Canadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Tuesday.

The delegation is reportedly led by Daniel Jean, national security adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

It’s the second time in about nine months that a Canadian envoy has been sent to Pyongyang to discuss the release of the 62-year-old senior pastor of the Light Presbyterian Church in Mississauga. The last delegation travelled to North Korea in late 2016.

“Pastor Lim’s health and well-being remain of utmost importance to the government of Canada as we continue to engage on this case,” said Cameron Ahmad, media relations manager for the Prime Minister’s Office, in an email.

“As this is an active case, we will not provide further comment at this time.”

This government visit comes less than a month after North Koreans arranged a July 14 meeting “in the humanitarian spirit” between the imprisoned Lim and a Swedish Embassy diplomat in Pyongyang, according to state media outlet Korean Central News Agency.

Lim has high blood pressure and requires medication, which the North Koreans have allowed to be sent to him. Lim is reportedly in failing health and has lost upwards of 27 kilograms.

The pastor, who has made more than 110 humanitarian missions to North Korea on behalf of his church, has been in detention since January 2015. He went missing during a routine visit in a northern region where the Canadian was a familiar face. Local officials had granted him a frequent access visa.