Two Korean missionaries who dedicated their lives to medical and agricultural mission work in Africa were killed in a robbery in Madagascar.
Kim Chang-yeol (88) and Lee Rimoon (58), who were serving in the Muramanga region, were attacked by armed robbers on the night of February 21st (local time). They were taken to a hospital but died the following day.
According to Kim's family, seven robbers armed with guns and weapons attacked the site where they were building a church. The robbers were believed to be after money (about 900,000 won). The Muramanga region is a remote area where robberies have occurred in the past.
Kim and Lee were father-in-law and son-in-law. They were sent to Madagascar by the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) in 2023. Kim went to Madagascar two years ago to provide acupuncture and agricultural mission work after his retirement, and Lee joined him last year.
They were working to help the local people by lending them church gardens and planting fruit tree seedlings such as vanilla. They also dug wells and established churches to spread the gospel.
The PCK is working with local missionaries and the Korean embassy to handle the aftermath of the accident. They are helping to recover the bodies and will hold a funeral service in Korea after the family arrives in Madagascar.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers that missionaries face in remote areas. It is a loss for the Korean missionary community and for the people of Madagascar who were being helped by these dedicated individuals.
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