"God is Faithful"—Missionary Kenneth Bae Speaks Out for First Time Since Release from North Korean Prison 

Leah Marieann Klett  : May 3, 2016
Gospel Herald

"Along the way, I found my way adjusting to life in the North Korean prison, just depending on God."

Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American missionary who served a 735-day prison sentence after the North Korean government claimed he was part of a Christian plot to overthrow the regime, has revealed that his faith in God gave him the strength to survive during his captivity. (Photo Credit: AP Photo/via Gospel Herald)

In his first live interview since his release in late 2014, Bae, 47, described the physical and verbal abuse he endured during his imprisonment on CNN's "New Day" on Monday.
 
"I worked from 8 a.m. to 6 pm. at night, working on the field, carrying rock, shoveling coal," Bae told CNN's Chris Cuomo.
 
He said one prosecutor repeatedly told him, " 'No one remembers you. You have been forgotten by people, your government. You're not going home anytime soon. You'll be here for 15 years. You'll be 60 before you go home.'"
 
While in captivity, Bae's health deteriorated rapidly, and he lost 60 pounds. However, after diplomatic efforts, the pastor was eventually released.
 
"I'm thankful every day and grateful for so many people that were involved in trying to get me home," he said. "It's unreal just to see that I'm actually sitting in the studio talking to you ... 735 days in North Korea was long enough. But I'm thankful."
 
He added, "Along the way, I found my way adjusting to life in the North Korean prison, just depending on God. And I knew the U.S. government would do everything possible...
 
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