Gender: Male
Perpetrator: North Korea
Ethnic Group: Korean
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Current Status: executed
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Proselytizing Activities
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Lee Soo Gil was executed for his religious activity.
In December 2001, authorities in China arrested Lee Soo Gil for evangelizing and helping North Korean refugees escape to South Korea. He was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison.
In September/October 2005, months before his sentence was scheduled to end, Lee Soo Gil was deported to North Korea despite the known risk of torture, life in prison, or execution.
North Korean authorities executed Lee Soo Gil by firing squad at the North Hamgyong Provincial MSS detention centre.