Local prosecutors say they have confirmed that a South Korean pastor was kidnapped by a North Korean agent in 2000.

The Seoul Central District Public Prosecutors Office said Tuesday a 35-year-old North Korean agent, identified only by his first name, Ryu, was apprehended in South Korea recently and charged with playing a role in the high-profile kidnapping.

Prosecutors said they are investigating the case in cooperation with state spy agency officials. They also said nearly ten unidentified North Korean agents are suspected to have conspired in Kim’s abduction.

Reverend Kim Dong-shik was reported missing in 2002 in China's Yanbian Province, near the border with North Korea.

There has been wide speculation that the 57-year-old pastor was kidnapped by North Korea because of his extensive activities to help North Korean escapees hiding in China. He had been on a Pyongyang watchlist of dissidents and political wave-makers since 1999.

Prosecutors said they have yet to confirm rumors surrounding the fate of Kim.

If the pastor is still alive, the Seoul government is expected to make efforts to repatriate him through negotiations with Pyongyang.