Release International

As crisis talks continue over North Korea's nuclear capability, refugees have given rare interviews about their perilous journey to escape the nation that heads the list of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world.^[1]

Christian mission to the persecuted church Release International has been working undercover to help refugees find freedom and faith. Their stories are told in the latest edition of Witness magazine and on a new DVD by Release International.

Each year thousands of North Koreans flee the repressive regime of Kim Jong Il – a leader who has cultivated a personality cult that borders on idolatry.

First they must brave the border guards who will shoot them on sight. Those who make it into China must continue their perilous journey along the so-called 'underground railroad'.

Their desire to escape is so great that they risk discovery by security forces and exploitation by human traffickers. Some are forced into slave labour, prostitution or marriage.

Release International is working with its partners to set up safe houses in China. From her secret location, Suk, a farmer, explained: 'I escaped from North Korea five times - twice I was captured by traffickers. [The last time] two Chinese men appeared in front of us, holding knives. They tied us with ropes and took us to a cave in the mountains. They were traffickers. After a week I managed to escape.'

When the Chinese security forces capture refugees they send them back to North Korea to face brutal detention or death in one of dozens of labour camps. These have been described as death camps by human rights organisations.

Some refugees become Christians through the work of the underground church in China. Some feel called to return to North Korea as Christian missionaries. Yet they know if they are caught preaching the gospel they will be sent to a labour camp or executed.

Peter (22), has already had a spell behind bars in North Korea. 'Once I was arrested and sent back. I was put in prison. I suffered forced labour for about ten months. A Christian woman was executed due to her faith in Jesus.'

But despite the grave risk, Peter has his heart set on going back to his country: 'I strongly believe God's plan is to train me and send me back to North Korea to evangelise my people. Even though I may be put in  prison or killed I will go.'

Hannah (21), asks for prayer when she, too, returns to share Jesus in North Korea: 'Pray that God will help me to plant a church in North Korea where people can praise the Lord.'

'Their courage is astounding,' says Release International's CEO, Andy Dipper. '˜Those who return know full well the brutality of the North Korean regime towards practising Christians. Please pray for them and help Release International to give them the practical support they need.'

Their story: Flight from North Korea is told in the latest edition of Witness magazine, available free of charge, and in the new DVD Prayer Works. Both are available from the Release International website www.releaseinternational.org

Release International is helping North Korean refugees in China through its partners Helping Hands Korea and others. RI provides safe houses, pastoral care and practical support.

Release International can be contacted on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org

Through our international network of missions RI serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries, supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families, supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice. RI is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections, the Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network.

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