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The underground church of North Korea is preparing for growth – even as the United Nations slams Pyongyang for its continuing human rights abuses.

North Korean society is so 'unstable' that Christians there believe the current repressive regime may be close to collapse, according to a new report by Open Doors USA. North Korean Christians are said to have started a prayer campaign focusing on evangelism inside the 'hermit kingdom' and on unity within the church body.

Their situation remains very dangerous, however. Most ordinary North Koreans are suffering severe food shortages and Pyongyang's recent sabre-rattling against South Korea has led officials to instruct citizens to gather '15 days' worth of war provisions'.

Also, the authorities are said to have stepped up their surveillance of Christians, and house searches are said to be even more intensive than usual. It is considered a criminal offence in North Korea to profess a 'faith' in anyone other than President Kim Jong-il.

Meanwhile, the UN's Human Rights Council has passed a resolution expressing concern at 'ongoing grave, widespread and systematic human rights violations' in North Korea. It has also extended by a year the mandate of the Special Rapporteur responsible for monitoring the human rights situation in the country.

(Sources: Christian Post; CSW; Open Doors USA; UN Human Rights Council)

• Join North Korean Christians in praying for religious freedom in their nation.
• Pray for the thousands of North Korean Christians jailed for their faith.

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