Kim Jung-wook, Imprisoned South Korean Christian missionary
Published October 3, 2025
North Korea (International Christian Concern) — It’s been nearly 12 years since Kim Jung-wook, a South Korean Christian missionary, was arrested for his faith while in North Korea. His family hasn’t been allowed to contact him since his arrest, and his current condition and whereabouts are unknown.
On Oct. 8, 2013, North Korean authorities took Jung-wook into custody after the missionary allegedly brought religious items into the country. Officials have been less than forthcoming about the missionary, as well as two others who were detained.
According to an NK News report from March 2025, “authorities have refused to provide even minimal information about the detainees, including confirmation they are still alive.”
Open Doors reported in January that before his arrest, Jung-wook worked as a Christian missionary in Dandong, China, serving refugees from North Korea. He reportedly shared the gospel of Jesus with them and provided them with shelter and food, the report explained. It goes on to say that Jung-wook aided others under the radar until his inner circle was unknowingly endangered by North Korean spies who reportedly talked him into traveling to North Korea.
North Korea (International Christian Concern) — It’s been nearly 12 years since Kim Jung-wook, a South Korean Christian missionary, was arrested for his faith while in North Korea. His family hasn’t been allowed to contact him since his arrest, and his current condition and whereabouts are unknown.
On Oct. 8, 2013, North Korean authorities took Jung-wook into custody after the missionary allegedly brought religious items into the country. Officials have been less than forthcoming about the missionary, as well as two others who were detained.
According to an NK News report from March 2025, “authorities have refused to provide even minimal information about the detainees, including confirmation they are still alive.”
Open Doors reported in January that before his arrest, Jung-wook worked as a Christian missionary in Dandong, China, serving refugees from North Korea. He reportedly shared the gospel of Jesus with them and provided them with shelter and food, the report explained. It goes on to say that Jung-wook aided others under the radar until his inner circle was unknowingly endangered by North Korean spies who reportedly talked him into traveling to North Korea.