“Lord, we have sinned, because we have bowed before the image of Kim Il-sung. And Lord, our parents sinned too, because they bowed before the idols of the Japanese. Lord, forgive us!
The people of Israel had to remain in the desert for 40 years when they made a golden calf, but we ... we have been suffering for more than 50 years now. When will it be enough, Lord? When may we again open the churches of our forebears?” The talking stops. The sound of sobbing men fills the small, bare living room.
There are no fairy lights, no Christmas dinner, or, any kind of carol service for the followers of Jesus Christ in North Korea at Christmas. In fact, the scarcity of any kind of electrical light, food or joy leaves vast swathes of this country shrouded in darkness, hunger and gloom most days of the year. Christmas day in North Korea is like any other.
The scene on the streets of the capital Pyongyang symbolises the emptiness of the existence. Here, a 21 metre high statue of Kim Il-sung dominates the city. As people with tense, expressionless faces go about their business, they have to bow each time they pass, before continuing their way through the city, with its magnificent monuments, well-kept parks and dilapidated flats.
The only official births celebrated nationally are that of deceased former leader, Kim Il-sung, and the current leader, his son Kim Jong-il. Sculptures and portraits of Kim Il-sung who ruled over North Korea from 1948 until his death in 1972, are on display everywhere, pervading offices, factories, homes and streets. North Koreans and tourists alike are expected to bow to these idols.
Brother Simon, who co-ordinates the work of Open Doors from a secret location in China says, “Of course Christians reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas but being a Christian in North Korea is a lonely business.”
