Return date for pastor now in North changed

South Korean pastor Han Sang-ryeol, who made an unauthorized trip to North Korea, was scheduled to return to South Korea through the truce village at Panmunjom on Aug. 15 Liberation Day yesterday, but North Korea’s Red Cross yesterday sent a letter to its South Korean counterpart on Saturday that Han will return to the South on Aug. 20, the communist nation`s official Korean Central News Agency reported on Saturday.

“The letter contains a message that asks the South Korea’s Red Cross to notify this to other related agencies so that they can take necessary measures in regard to Han’s return,” the news report said.

Though the North’s propaganda media didn’t elaborate on why Han’s return was delayed, political observers suggested the North wants to maximize the political aspects of Han’s return.

By Kim Mi-ju [mijukim@joongang.co.kr]