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N Korea sentences Canada pastor to life in jail N Korea sentences Canada pastor to life in jail
(35 minutes later)
North Korea's highest court has sentenced a Canadian pastor to a life term of hard labour for "crimes against the state", reports say.North Korea's highest court has sentenced a Canadian pastor to a life term of hard labour for "crimes against the state", reports say.
Hyeon Soo Lim, 60, was arrested in Pyongyang after he travelled there in January for humanitarian work.Hyeon Soo Lim, 60, was arrested in Pyongyang after he travelled there in January for humanitarian work.
The Toronto-based pastor, who is of South Korean origin, reportedly confessed earlier to a "subversive plot" to overthrow the government and set up a "religious state".The Toronto-based pastor, who is of South Korean origin, reportedly confessed earlier to a "subversive plot" to overthrow the government and set up a "religious state".
North Korea bans religious activity.North Korea bans religious activity.
North Korea periodically detains foreigners for religious or missionary activity. The authorities periodically detains foreigners for religious or missionary activity and staged public confessions from prisoners have previously been held in similar cases.
Associated Press and China's state run Xinhua, which both have a presence in Pyongyang, reported that Lim was given the sentence after a brief trial at the North Korean supreme court. "False propaganda"
Mr Lim was given the sentence after a brief trial at the North Korean supreme court.
The court said Mr Lim was guilty of joining the US and South Korea in anti-North Korea human rights "racket" and fabricating and circulating false propaganda materials tarnishing the country's image, Xinhua news agency said.
He was also accused of funding and helping "defectors" to escape, in some cases through Mongolia, Xinhua added.
North Korean state media KCNA has not reported the court's decision.North Korean state media KCNA has not reported the court's decision.
'Subversive plots''Subversive plots'
Mr Lim and his colleagues travelled to Pyongyang on 31 January as part of a humanitarian mission. His family said it was to support a nursing home, nursery and orphanage.Mr Lim and his colleagues travelled to Pyongyang on 31 January as part of a humanitarian mission. His family said it was to support a nursing home, nursery and orphanage.
Mr Lim, who heads the Light Korean Presbyterian Church, had made numerous humanitarian aid missions to North Korea for nearly two decades, the church said.Mr Lim, who heads the Light Korean Presbyterian Church, had made numerous humanitarian aid missions to North Korea for nearly two decades, the church said.
He was detained in February and in July a KCNA report said Mr Lim gave a press conference in Pyongyang where he admitted to using humanitarian work as a "guise" for "subversive plots and activities in a sinister bid to build a religious state".He was detained in February and in July a KCNA report said Mr Lim gave a press conference in Pyongyang where he admitted to using humanitarian work as a "guise" for "subversive plots and activities in a sinister bid to build a religious state".
He also reportedly admitted to giving lectures that "North Korea should be collapsed with the love of 'God'", and helping the US and South Korea to aid North Korean defectors.He also reportedly admitted to giving lectures that "North Korea should be collapsed with the love of 'God'", and helping the US and South Korea to aid North Korean defectors.