GILLOD NO
My pastor is actually friends with this guy. I guess a lot of people in Seoul knew him- He was famous for like spending all of his money on coats and then walking around and giving them to homeless people. He seemed like a really great guy, maybe a little nutty. It'll be interesting to see what happens next. I can't imagine NK being able to use him as a bargaining chip, nor does it really suit their needs to be known for brutalizing a missionary. Maybe they'll use him as a go between? Dunno.
South Koreans are hugely blaise about NK. They're most just embarrassed.