Reverend Choi Bong-il, who was arrested earlier by Chinese authorities for helping North Koreans escape to the South, has been released from prison.

Choi had been incarcerated in a Chinese detention center since he was arrested by border security guards in April, 2002 for helping North Korean escapees illegally cross the Chinese border.

Choi, who has been involved in missionary work in Yanbien, China, is known by his supporters as "the godfather of North Korean escapees" for his active efforts to help their entry into South Korea.