The Supreme Court on Thursday granted refugee status to an Iranian who converted from Islam to Christianity.

The top court upheld a lower court’s decision in favor of the 35-year-old Kurdish-Iranian man over the Ministry of Justice, saying his “condition comes under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and is subject to protection by a third country.

“Should he return to his country, his religious beliefs could put him in a life-threatening position,” Justice Min Young-il said.

“It is convincing that, should he return to Iran, he could be persecuted or even executed,” he added.

The man, whose name was withheld, first entered Korea in 1999 after being pursued by authorities for participating in a protest calling for the release of Kurdish leaders. He moved to Japan in 2001 but was deported. While in Korea, he became acquainted with Christianity.

In 2003, he revisited Korea with his brother’s passport and was baptized as a Christian. He was adopted by a Christian couple and joined a local church, becoming an active member.

In 2007, he applied for refugee status but his application was rejected by the Ministry of Justice. He lost his refugee status suit at a local court because his “intention for religious conversion looks less than genuine.” However, a higher court took his side, stating that “about 99 percent of Iranians are Muslim and their rules call for heavy penalties against converts.”

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)