N. Korea Sentences Baptist Missionary to Life

A South Korean Baptist missionary has been given a life sentence at hard labor in North Korea.

The regime accuses Kim Jung Wook of spying for South Korea and trying to set up underground churches.

Wook was arrested trying to enter the country last October.

In a press conference before North Korean state media, Wook "admitted" to committing religious acts and "malignantly hurting the dignity" of the North Korean regime.

South Korea said Kim is not a spy and denounced the life sentence as much too harsh.

Missionary work is outlawed in North Korea. Distributing Bibles or holding prayer services are punishable by banishment to a labor camp or execution.

American missionary Kenneth Bae and Australian John Short are also imprisoned in North Korea.