Release International has launched a major campaign calling on North Korea to protect the human rights of Christians in that country.

 

North Korea is considered to be one of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world. Christians can be detained, tortured and sent to what have been likened to concentration camps as political prisoners. Many flee to avoid persecution – as well as starvation.

 

All Christian meetings, Christian literature and Bibles are banned – forcing believers to meet secretly at great personal risk to both themselves and their families. Entire families are know to have been imprisoned if just one member is found to be a Christian or in possession of a Bible.

 

The North Korea campaign One Day is highlighted in the latest edition of Release magazine [attached].

 

‘If there is a hell in this world, then it is the North Korean concentration camps,’ a former prisoner known as Kim told Release. He was caught by the Chinese police after escaping from North Korea and sent to Yoduk camp for five years as a political prisoner.

 

He described conditions in the camp: ‘There is only fear, and absolutely no connection to the outside world. The food crisis is bad in North Korea, but it is even worse in the camps. People die of malnutrition. If anyone was found praying they would disappear.’

 

‘We are deeply concerned about the accounts coming out of North Korea,’ says Andy Dipper, Release CEO. ‘We are urging the government of North Korea to allow Christians to worship freely without the threat of persecution.’ Release will present its petition to the North Korean embassy in London.

 

Another defector, known as Sung, told Release: ‘Life in North Korea is about survival. We cannot say it is about human life. There is no freedom to speak.’

 

Upwards of two million are thought to have died in the food crisis that began in 1995 – more than one in 12 of the population. As a teacher, Sung cradled two of his students in his arms as they died from hunger.

 

Sung escaped to China, where he was later joined by his mother and brother. But in 2001, his mother and brother tried to return to North Korea, because of the risk of living illegally. Women who defect are especially vulnerable. Many are preyed upon by human traffickers who sell them into forced marriages or prostitution in China, where they have no legal status.

 

Sung was a witness to the murder of his mother and brother: ‘We were standing on the bank of the river facing North Korea, when my mother knelt down and prayed. I think she had a foreboding, because she said this could be our last time together.

 

‘She told me that I must survive and go back to South Korea, which is where my father came from, and that I must become a pastor. My brother lifted my mother on to his back and they swam across as I watched from the Chinese side.’

 

Soldiers emerged from a truck parked on the North Korean side. ‘I saw they were beating my mother and brother with a gun. One of the soldiers stabbed my brother with a bayonet. My mother was being beaten with the butt of a rifle. I was going crazy just watching. It went on for about an hour. After that, they kicked them into the river.

 

‘I have forgiven those who killed my mother and brother, but I cannot help but feel the guilt of losing her.’

 

Sung’s parents, four brothers and a sister were all killed by the North Korean authorities. He and his youngest sister are the only members of his immediate family who are still alive.

 

‘Release also asks Christians in the UK to pray and take action to help their persecuted brothers and sisters - and to support North Korean Christians now trying to adjust to life outside.’

 

Release works through local partners to help North Koreans who have fled their country. This includes providing safe houses, pastoral care, support, Christian literature and Bibles.

 

‘Please pray that the petition will make a difference to the lives of Christians living in North Korea, whether believing in secret, or suffering in prison for their faith,’ adds Andy Dipper. ‘Pray that believers will be free to worship Christ openly without fear of persecution.’

 

 

Pictures are available for download from the following link: Release International Photo Library :: North Korea press photos

 

For a country profile on North Korea, please go to:

 

For further information, please contact Release International on 01689 823491, or by email at info@releaseinternational.org