Release International
Christian persecution in North Korea set to worsen in 2010 |
Release International warns that persecution is set to worsen in North Korea - possibly the world’s worst trouble spot for Christians - in 2010.
‘North Korean Christians are arguably subject to the worst persecution in the world,’ says Release partner Tim Peters in the latest edition of Release magazine.
‘As the North Korean economy continues its slow-motion collapse, reports of worsening persecution of Christians are coming out of North Korea,’ he adds. ‘2010 is forecast to be a year of tremendous hardship and food shortages since the country’s harvest in 2009 was a poor one.’
Two North Korean refugees spelled out the deteriorating situation to Release International.
‘The situation in the North is getting worse,’ said former prisoner Kang Cheol Hwan. ‘It is like a giant prison camp has crossed the land. Starvation spreads out over the entire nation; it has become the norm.
‘I lived in Yoduk prison camp for 10 years; I was treated like an animal there. I had watched many people die from starvation and beatings. I witnessed open executions and watched helplessly as people died miserably. These fearful scenes have not left my mind.’
Kang became a Christian in South Korea. Another Christian refugee, Mary, secretly sends food parcels from China into North Korea, along with copied-out verses of the Bible.
People around the border area have come to know Christ as a result of her visits. They include her uncle, Mr Lee, who told Release:
‘The hardest months are March, April and May. Those without food must eat grass and catch frogs. At the market there is meat, but it’s not affordable.’
They tell their stories in the latest edition of Release magazine.
In a single month Mary delivered 100 packages, containing sausages, bread, soap and a toothbrush ̶ as well as Bible verses. She is taking a terrible risk: ‘God has poured His love upon me so I cannot stop my work,’ she says.
Release partners have given Mr Lee an mp3 player containing Christian material – which he has to hide carefully. He has also tried to memorise as much Scripture as he can.
‘Pray that North Korea will open its door to Christian activity,’ says Mr Lee.
‘Christians found to have Christian literature, or holding Bible studies and prayer meetings are subject to imprisonment – and so are their families, ‘says Release CEO Andy Dipper, who has recently visited the North Korean border. Please pray for Christians in North Korea.
- ‘Pray that God will restore just Government to this nation.
- ‘Pray for the thousands of Christians who must practise their faith in secret, at great risk to themselves and their families.
- ‘And pray for all those sharing the love of Christ with refugees who make the dangerous journey through China.’
Release works through local Christian partners to serve North Korean refugees fleeing to freedom. Support has included pastoral care, the provision of safe houses, and Christian literature and Bibles.
Other areas of growing concern to Christian freedom in 2010 include Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia.
In August a mob accusing Christians of blasphemy destroyed 50 Christian houses in Gojra, Pakistan. Many other Christians have been falsely accused. Release and its partners are pressing for the repeal of the blasphemy laws which are often used to stir up religious hatred.
‘In 2010, the most dangerous situation in Central Asia could be in Kyrgyzstan,’ says a Release partner. ‘A new law requires that every local church must have at least 200 members to register. This means that 95% of independent and evangelical churches could be forced to close and their property be confiscated.’
Through its international network of missions, Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries around the world by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles; and working for justice.
ENDS
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Pictures are available for download from http://release.thirdlight.com/a.tlx?k=4ylzf7t
Please credit Release International.
North Korea today remains one of the most repressive nations on earth – especially if you’re a Christian.
All Christian meetings, Christian literature and Bibles are banned – forcing believers to meet secretly, at great personal risk to themselves and their families.
Many Christians have been sent to death camps as political prisoners and subjected to brutal treatment in appalling conditions: torture, abuse, execution or simply being worked to death. Entire families are known to have been imprisoned if just one member is found to be a Christian, or in possession of a Bible.
Nobody knows how many Christians there are today inside North Korea. Before the Communists came to power, there were said to be 300,000 believers and the capital Pyongyang was knows as ‘Asia’s Jerusalem’ because of the strong influence of Christianity.
However during the Korean War (1950-53) many fled to South Korea or were martyred.
The BBC has estimated that ‘despite the persecutions, it is thought up to 30,000 North Koreans may practise Christianity secretly in their homes.’
The North Korean regime maintains a façade of religious freedom. As recently as 1998, it opened three churches in Pyongyang. However, these are widely considered to be showcases for foreigners: sermons contain political material supporting the regime.
Every year thousands of North Korean refugees flee across the border into neighbouring China to begin a dangerous journey in search of freedom. Most hope to reach South Korea.
Yet the Chinese authorities forcibly repatriate around 4,000 refugees a year to North Korea, where they face imprisonment, torture and even death.
Many refugees are helped by activists inside China who provide safe houses, food, transport and local knowledge – a secret network known as the ‘underground railroad’. A number of these organisations and individuals serving North Koreans in need are Christian, and include trusted partners of Release.
A country profile of North Korea can be found at http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/north-korea.php
For further information please contact Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org
For more information on Release International please go to: www.releaseinternational.org
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