Release International

Christians in North Korea face a critical moment following the death of the country's leader Kim Jong-Il from a heart attack. North Korean television announced that the 69-year-old leader had died at 8.30am on Saturday, while travelling on a train.

Christians in North Korea have faced some of the harshest persecution on earth. In this land where a form of emperor worship is practised, Christians can be detained, tortured and removed from society. Some risk being shot by border guards as they try to flee the country to avoid persecution or famine.

Christians have also been sent to concentration camps. Human rights organisations say inmates – including those arrested for their faith – can face torture, starvation and execution. As well as religious persecution, Christians have suffered with all North Koreans famine and economic collapse following years of misrule.

Little is known about Kim Jong Il's nominated successor. His son Kim Jong-un is in his late 20s and was educated in Switzerland. That so little information is available indicates the isolation of what has become known as the hermit kingdom. Observers fear a power struggle ahead for control of the country, and a time of instability in the region. 

South Korea, which is still technically in a state of war with the North, has put its military on alert.

This year Release has run a major campaign pressing for change in North Korea, and is presenting a petition to the North Korean authorities in January calling for religious freedom.

For more news and a country profile about North Korea, click here

(Sources: BBC, Reuters)

• Pray that instead of instability, transition in North Korea will bring peace and freedom for all its citizens, including Christians.
• Pray that Release's campaign and petition will help to bring freedom of religion in North Korea.
• Ask God to grant wisdom to North Korea's new ruler, Kim Jong-un.
• Pray that the leadership transition will not lead to conflict in the region.

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