World Watch List 2010:

#1. North Korea

In first position on the World Watch List 2010 is again North Korea, the country where every religious activity is recognized as insurrection to the North Korean socialist principles. The situation for Christians is extremely harsh at this moment, even though the North Korean regime is slowly and steadily losing their iron control on North Korean society, and Kim Jong Il's physical health worsened after his stroke.

Through mobilizing every resource of power, North Korea is desperately trying to control society in order to eradicate Christian activities. By means of combat campaigns of 150 days and 100 days, the North Korean government is trying very hard to demolish the street market system. Furthermore, many Christian believers were exposed during North Korea's strict searches. During the mentioned campaigns, the North Korean regime especially targeted secret Christians all over North Korea to arrest and kill them.

They have arrested and tortured Christians in various horrible ways, such as sometimes using them as a means of testing biological or chemical weapons. In spite of these inhuman circumstances, Christianity is growing and chances to hear the gospel are growing, especially for those who live in cities nearby China.

About the Church (Persecution: Severe persecution)

  • An estimated 400,000 Christians practice their faith in underground networks in North Korea. There is a lack of Bibles and Christian teaching which can lead to false doctrines and weak foundations for these Christians.
  • Christians are viewed as "a danger to society" or "spies of the traitorous West."
  • The proclamation of the Gospel is strictly forbidden in North Korea.
  • There are a few state churches used only to convince outsiders of the "freedom of religion" in the country. Only selected citizens take part in these services.
  • Over 50,000 Christians are in prison camps because of their faith. People rarely get out of alive.
  • North Korean authorities increased surveillance of Christians in 2009 to expose all underground church members; they are conducting random house searches.
  • The Christians in North Korea started a prayer campaign to reach more of their countrymen with the Gospel.
  • The country is in complete crisis. People are starving to death. There is strict border control and practically no commerce occurs from outside the country.
  • North Koreans are indoctrinated with "Juche," an ideology which focuses on the self-sufficiency of man. They worship as gods the "Beloved Leader" Kim Jong-Il and his deceased father Kim Il-Sung. The term "God" in their language is associated with the leader of the country.

Examples of Persecution:

  1. Eom Myong-Heui was a loyal Communist in the Workers' Party of North Korea before she became a Christian through a businessman, who turned out to be a missionary. He was arrested and tortured because he had told Eom the Gospel. Eom, too, was arrested and imprisoned in her hometown of Moosan. She was able to flee to China in secret and now she is working full-time in a Church in Seoul in South Korea. NK Newsletter (25 Jun 09)
  2. Lee fled North Korea and married a Chinese man out of necessity. Esther, an Open Doors worker, told her about the love of Jesus Christ. She and her husband became Christians. Although she has been living in China for years, every day she lives in fear of being detained and sent back to North Korea. "If they discover that I've become a Christian, that will mean my death," she said. NK Newsletter (25 Jun 09)
  3. After being fleeing to China from North Korea, Kim Tae Jin contacted Christians who gave him a Bible. He was so delighted about his Bible that he carried it everywhere. At one point he was arrested by the police and returned to North Korea and put in prison where he was frequently tortured for eight months. After a few years he was unexpectedly released. NK Newsletter (16 Jan 09)

Quote: "In North Korea, it is strictly forbidden to be a Christian," said Simon. "Anyone who has a Bible is sent to a camp, along with his or her whole family. Refugees who are detained in China or North Korea can be sentenced to a few years in a prison camp. But if the North Korean authorities discover that the refugees have been in touch with Christians, they are dealt with much more harshly. Torture and execution often occur." North Korea Newsletter

Notables:

This is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world. North Korea is one of the richer nations in terms of mineral resources. Once there were many Christians and Jews - called the Jerusalem of the East. A food crises hit in 1996 and is still going today. Estimated 2 to 3 million people have died.

Prayer Points:

  • Salvation of Kim Jung Il and his leadership team
  • Effective prayer ministry
  • Safe travel for those fleeing the country
 
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