Lee Myung-Ju M0000058

North Korean victims
Name (KOR)
이명주
Name (JPN)
イミョンズ
Type of victim
  • Disappeared after repatriation
Nationality
North Korea
Sex
Female
Age when taken
32
Age group when taken
30s
Below 18 when taken
No
Occupation
Clothes merchant
Type of occupation
  • Business Professional
Date of birth
Jul 21, 1973
Year of birth
1970s: 1973
Country of birth
North Korea
Place of residence
Hoeryeong-si, North Hamgyong
Place of residence on map

Latitude: 42.4365985

Longitude: 129.7255968

Place of residence on map
Reason behind disappearance
  • Religious activities
Date when taken (additional note)
December 2004
Year when taken
2000s: 2004
Country where taken
China
Province where taken
Heilongjiang
Region where taken on map

Latitude: 48.4147532

Longitude: 123.6527222

Region where taken on map
Place where taken
Temporary accommodation near Heilongjiang
Type of place where taken
Shelter
Description of disappearance
She went to China to buy clothes. While staying at temporary accommodation near the province of Heilongjiang, she found a copy of the Bible and read it. Neighbors reported the presence of her to the authorities. In December 2004, the national police went to the temporary accommodation to apprehend Ms. Myung-Ju Lee. During the arrest, the police found the Bible.
Country last identified
North Korea
Information on detention
Yes
Place of first detention
Unknown (No information on the process of repatriation)
Place of second detention
MSS in Onseong-gun, North Hamgyong, North Korea
Period of second detention
6 months (December 2004-March, 8 2005)
Place of third detention
MSS in Hoeryong-si, North Hamgyong, North Korea
Period of third detention
March 8, 2005-May 25, 2005, June 2005-
Additional information on third detention
The authorities have informed Ms. Lee’s family of her detention and requested them to bring her food. However, her family members have not been allowed to visit her. She was held in solitary confinment in the dark and seriously abused. She was temporarily released before being rearrested one week later, in June 2005.When she was released, she was only able to crawl.
Place of fourth detention
No. 16 kwanliso in Myeonggan-gun, North Hamgyong, North Korea
Period of fourth detention
September 2015–
Region of second detention on map

Latitude: 42.959369

Longitude: 129.987702

Region of second detention on map
Region of fourth detention on map

Latitude: 41.2641668

Longitude: 129.4929489

Region of fourth detention on map
Related perpetrator(s)