ABOUT NORTH KOREA
01
What kind of country is
North Korea?
Between China and Japan lies the Korean Peninsula, with the line at the 38th parallel north, South Korea stands to the south and North Korea to the north. North Korea is approximately the size of Ohio state and is home to about 25 million people, compared to South Korea's 51 million. Currently, North Korea claims to adopt socialism politically and communism economically, but is a pseudo-dynastic hereditary state with three generations of leadership by Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un. Recent developments show movements to pass power to Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of Kim Jong-un, who is not yet 12 years old. Christian scholars have described North Korea as the world's largest cult, with a "Juche" ideology system.
02
What is the current state of Christianity in North Korea?
North Korea holds the dishonor of being the "world's most severe Christian-persecuting country" for over 20 years, consistently topping the annual list compiled by the global missions organization Open Doors. Religious activity in North Korea is strictly controlled by the state, primarily to maintain absolute control of the regime and to emphasize loyalty to the Communist Party and the Kim family. The only officially sanctioned belief system that holds status in North Korea is the "Juche ideology," which is said to have been founded by Kim Il-sung. Other religious activities are prohibited, and personal religious practices or activities of outside religious organizations are strictly policed; citizens are expected to adhere solely to the "Juche ideology."
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03
What risks do people of Christian faith face in North Korea?
People of the Christian faith in North Korea face significant risks. The country strictly controls religious activities and imposes severe punishments for any actions that violate the ruling ideology. Article 29 of the Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Law of 2020, enacted to prevent the influx of external culture into North Korea, continues to suppress Christianity. The law makes it punishable by death for distributing or viewing books, videos, and other materials related to Christianity, including the Bible. Due to the strict control on Christianity, the general population does not even understand the words like "Jesus," "faith," and "resurrection.” While a small number of Christian believers do exist in North Korea, the exact count is unclear. Those known to be Christian face the risk of arrest, detention, forced labor, harsh treatment, and even death sentences. They are classified as political prisoners rather than ordinary criminal offenders, as they are regarded as challenge to the state's ideology and system. According to the 2019 Annual Report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Affairs, approximately 120,000 people are held in political prison camps by the North Korean regime, of which 50,000 to 70,000 are Christians.
04
I heard that there is an official church in North Korea. Isn't this proof that there is some sort of religious freedom in North Korea?
There is no freedom of religion in North Korea. Nevertheless, there are two churches in Pyongyang — Bongsu Church and Chilgol Church, strictly controlled by the Workers' Party of Korea. These churches serve as mere propaganda tools, portraying an illusion of religious freedom in order to receive humanitarian aid from churches and Christian organizations around the world. To become a member of either church, one must first join the Communist Party and pledge allegiance to the Party and the Kim family. Churches used to recruit loyalist women from nearby towns, but attendance was initially low, according to a defector. In interviews with foreign media, one woman who claims to be a deacon of Bongsu Church denied the resurrection of Jesus and said that Kim Il-sung was greater than God. However, others say that although the churches are fake, they have witnessed people who believe in Jesus among those who attend.
05
What is the Chinese government's position on North Korean defectors?
Those who fail to escape or are repatriated from China face severe penalties. After the Chinese authorities complete their initial investigation of the defectors, the North Korean authorities conduct a more in-depth investigation. The first question posed by North Korean security officers is whether they have had any contact with people from hostile countries, specifically the United States and South Korea. Since North Korean defectors often come into contact with the gospel through South Korean missionaries, any association with a Korean classifies them as political prisoners who pose a threat to the regime, subjecting them to a special interrogation process. If they do not deny their Christian faith during the interrogation, they are labeled as reactionaries against the regime and can be executed or imprisoned in a political prison camp for the rest of their lives.
06
What is the current state of Christianity in North Korea?
North Korea holds the dishonor of being the "world's most severe Christian-persecuting country" for over 20 years, consistently topping the annual list compiled by the global missions organization Open Doors. Religious activity in North Korea is strictly controlled by the state, primarily to maintain absolute control of the regime and to emphasize loyalty to the Communist Party and the Kim family. The only officially sanctioned belief system that holds status in North Korea is the "Juche ideology," which is said to have been founded by Kim Il-sung. Other religious activities are prohibited, and personal religious practices or activities of outside religious organizations are strictly policed; citizens are expected to adhere solely to the "Juche ideology."
07
How should we pray for Christians in North Korea?
First of all, we need to pray for systemic change in North Korea. North Korea is a country that has nationwide idolatry. To eradicate this idolatry, there is a need for change of regime and a change of system. Please pray for the people of North Korea to have real freedom of religion and freedom of thought. Pray for international efforts to support actual regime change, as opposed to relying solely on humanitarian aid with uncertain efficacy. Pray that the current persecution and hardship of North Korea's underground Christians will stop and that the few remaining underground Christians will be able to maintain their faith in the face of any persecution.