By Alex Jensen
SEOUL, Korea (AA) - North Korea released a Canadian prisoner on "sick bail," state media reported late Wednesday.
Pastor Lim Hyeon-su, 62, was ordered by Pyongyang's highest court to serve a life sentence of hard labor in December 2015 after he was convicted of plotting again the government.
Family members intensified their campaign for Lim's release after the North freed American student Otto Warmbier in a comatose state in June following 17 months in detention. Warmbier died within days of his return to the United States.
Lim became the longest-held western prisoner in North Korea. Loved ones were particularly concerned after reading his letters complaining of stomach and blood pressure issues along with reports of massive weight loss.
The breakthrough came when Canadian envoy and national security advisor Daniel Jean arrived in Pyongyang earlier this week, as reported Tuesday by North Korea's official KCNA news agency.
Jean's presence coincided with a spike in regional tensions, with North Korea exchanging threats with the U.S.
Washington will impose a travel ban next month that will make it illegal to use a U.S. passport to travel to, through and in North Korea. However, three American citizens remain held captive there.