North Korea Missionary Arrest: Wife of John Short Awaits News of his Fate

Australian Missionary John Short, 75, is being detained in North Korea under suspicion of leaving religious pamphlets in a Buddhist temple during a tour, reports The Guardian. An author and translator who has spent 50 years in Asia, Short travelled to Pyongyang in order to minister to those in “a dark and difficult place,” according to his wife. Karen Short explained that, though the he could be sentenced to hard labor for violating North Korea’s laws, they felt a peace about his mission. “We both knew before he went in what he was going into,” she told Fairfax Radio. “It’s a difficult country but as Christians that’s what we do – you go into the difficult places to make a difference.” Karen Short is currently awaiting news of her husband’s whereabouts and condition. The Australian government does what it can to help those like Short, but also warns travelers to exercise caution when visiting more heavily regulated countries. John Short’s case is “different and difficult,” according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.