Release International

Release partners involved in helping nine North Korean Christians seek asylum in the Danish embassy in Hanoi have spoken about the bold escape.

Helping Hands Korea (HHK) worked with other Christian activists to help the nine escape through China and into Vietnam – and then secure diplomatic sanctuary at the embassy.

HHK Director Tim Peters spent four days with the North Koreans in Hanoi, holding daily gatherings for prayer, worship and Bible study. 'When I brought them copies of the Bible and related reading materials, they were so thankful,' says Tim, who believes the nine became Christians after leaving North Korea. 'God brought it to a successful completion and truly led us each step of the way!' Release helped fund the safe transfer of the refugees – but neither Release nor HHK was involved in helping them leave North Korea.

One of the refugees, Choi Hyon-a, says she tried to escape from North Korea once before but was forcibly repatriated by Chinese police. She was then jailed, tortured and 'forced to knit all day long, from five in the morning until midnight'. 'I personally witnessed the death of four women in my knitting unit,' she said. 'They all died of gross maltreatment.'

The North Koreans are now asking for safe conduct to South Korea. The Danish embassy says it is working with the Vietnamese authorities to find a solution.

(Sources: BBC, Helping Hands Korea, Reuters)

• Thank God for this breakthrough and His faithfulness in answering prayers.
• Pray that these nine North Koreans can now be resettled safely in South Korea.

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