DPRK releases jailed Canadian man

PYONGYANG -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Wednesday released on humanitarian grounds a Canadian man who was serving life sentence for alleged anti-DPRK activities, according to Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"Rim Hyon Su (Hyeon Soo Lim), a Canadian civilian, was released on sick bail according to the decision of the Central Court of DPRK on Aug. 9, 2017 from a humanitarian viewpoint," said the KCNA.

"He had been under the penalty of indefinite hard labor as he conducted hostile deeds against DPRK," said the report.

The release came one day after a high-level Canadian government team led by Daniel Jean arrived here Tuesday.

The national security advisor to the Canadian prime minister and special envoy of the latter came to discuss the case of the Canadian pastor after Swedish charge d'affaires ad interim here met with Rim, 62, last month.

During the meeting, Rim reportedly talked about his health condition, and asked the charge d'affaires ad interim "to convey his request to the Canadian government for making active efforts" for his release.

Sweden has consular affairs duty for Canadian citizens in the DPRK.

In December 2015, South Korean-born Rim was sentenced to life education through labor for committing hostile acts against the DPRK during his stay in the country.