RUSSIA: Korean Missionary Trial Delayed Again

Source: The Voice of the Martyrs Korea, Church in Chains, Voice of the Martyrs Australia

The trial of Korean missionary Park Tae Yeon was due to resume on 24 September in Khabarovsk, Russia, after a hearing on 1 September was postponed because the court-appointed interpreter failed to appear. However, it has now been delayed again and is expected to resume 8 October.

Ms Park, who is nearly 70, was arrested on 15 January – one week before she was due to return to Korea and retire. She has served in Russia since 1993 and is reportedly in good health despite her prolonged detention and repeated delays to the trial.

She faces three immigration-related charges concerning assistance she allegedly provided to Koreans entering Russia. The charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 17 years. According to Voice of the Martyrs Korea, when prosecutors cross-examined Missionary Park on 17 September about 70 percent of the questions related to her religious activities and beliefs and only about 30 percent related to the immigration charges against her.

• Pray that Ms Park will remain strong in faith and experience God’s peace during her detention and trial.

• Ask God to grant wisdom and courage to Ms Park’s lawyers and everyone advocating for her release.

• Ask God to strengthen Russian believers and help them remain faithful despite intimidation and opposition