Hyeon Soo Lim

Hyeon Soo Lim, born on February 16, 1955, is a prominent Canadian pastor known for his leadership at the Big Light Korean Presbyterian Church in Mississauga. Originally from South Korea, Lim became a Canadian citizen and dedicated much of his life to humanitarian efforts, particularly in North Korea, where he provided tens of millions of dollars in aid.

In February 2015, Lim's humanitarian work took a dramatic turn when he was arrested by the North Korean regime. His detention was a significant event that drew international attention, culminating in a life sentence with hard labor in December 2015 for alleged crimes against the state.

The Canadian government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, took action on Lim's behalf, sending a delegation to Pyongyang in August 2017 to negotiate his release. After two years of imprisonment, Lim was finally freed on August 9, 2017, and returned to Canada three days later, marking a poignant moment in his life and a relief for his supporters.