Voice of the Martyrs Korea is reporting that Deacon Zhang Wen Shi, also known by his Korean name Jang Moon Seok 장문석, was released from prison in North Korea and returned home to China on November 5. Deacon Zhang, who ministered to North Koreans in Changbai, China alongside martyred Pastor Han Chung-Ryeol, served more than 12 years of a 15 year sentence.

“Deacon Zhang is an ethnically Korean Chinese citizen who was kidnapped in November 2014 from China and put in a North Korean prison,” says Voice of the Martyrs Korea representative Dr. Hyun Sook Foley. “We believe the reason for his kidnapping was to gather information about the North Korean ministry work we were doing with Pastor Han.” Fifteen months after Deacon Zhang’s kidnapping and arrest, Pastor Han was lured from his home and stabbed to death in Changbai.

Voice of the Martyrs Korea led a multi-year global letter campaign urging the North Korean government to release Deacon Zhang.

“Though it is illegal to cross into China without permission, North Koreans often visit Chinese border towns to purchase goods to resell in North Korea, seeking medicine or other help, and conducting business,” says Representative Foley. “Near Changbai, North Koreans gather herbs on the North Korean side of the mountain, then take them into Changbai to sell at the market and bring the money back with them to North Korea.”

Representative Foley says that Deacon Jang regularly hosted these North Korean visitors in his home for days and weeks at a time before they returned to North Korea, giving them warm clothing, feeding them and providing things they might need for their return to North Korea. “He saw this as his Christian duty to welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and care for the sick,” says Representative Foley. “As a believer, he also shared about his faith to those who were willing.”

Representative Foley says that a number of these North Koreans accepted the message and became Christians. “Some returned to Deacon Jang’s home repeatedly for more Bible training, and Deacon Zhang and Pastor Han also taught them how to share their faith with their loved ones. Their goal was always to see North Koreans return home.”

More information about Deacon Zhang’s case can be found at https://vomkorea.com/en/2020/04/21/vomk-report-97