SEOUL, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A Christian minister who spent more than two months in North Korea was arrested Friday when he returned to South Korea.
The Rev. Han Sang-ryeol, who had been refused permission for the trip, crossed the border at the truce village, Panmunjom, The Korea Times reported. He was greeted by supporters and by conservative groups who held demonstrations protesting his trip.
The conservatives called for Han's exile from South Korea, the Yonhap News Agency reported. Three thousand police officers were dispatched to Panmunjom to keep peace between the conservative and left-wing groups.
After the Ministry of Unification refused Han's request for a permit, he traveled to North Korea by way of Beijing on June 12. He remained there for 70 days. UPI
