An Act of Subversion, Carried by Balloons
A Korean Missionary Sends Aerial Messages of Faith Over Border to North
By Anthony Faiola
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, August 10, 2005; Page A11

GANGHWA ISLAND, South Korea -- Lee Min Bok stared across a narrow inlet at the Korean shoreline, using his compass to gauge the gusting wind's direction. Nodding, the gaunt, soft-spoken missionary then said a prayer with his three assistants and began launching hundreds of helium balloons across the world's most heavily fortified border.

The balloons carried plastic bags containing pamphlets of Bible scripture and pairs of nylon stockings to entice wary North Koreans. Lee's aerial evangelism was part of a broader campaign by Christian groups in East Asia and beyond against North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his government.

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