A charity supporting oppressed believers around the world has warned that persecution against Christians is set to worsen in North Korea in 2010.
Practising Christianity is currently illegal in the reclusive communist country and Christians can face imprisonment, torture and even execution for their faith.
Release International works through local Christian partners to support North Korean refugees fleeing to China or South Korea, by providing pastoral care, safe houses, and Christian literature and Bibles.
Partner Tim Peters said North Korea was one of the world’s worst trouble spots for Christians. In the latest edition of the Release magazine, he said he had received reports of worsening persecution against Christians as the North Korean economy continues to collapse.
“2010 is forecast to be a year of tremendous hardship and food shortages since the country’s harvest in 2009 was a poor one,” he said.
Kang Cheol Hwan is a former prisoner who converted to Christianity after finding refuge in South Korea. He told Release the situation was getting worse in North Korea.
“It is like a giant prison camp has crossed the land. Starvation spreads out over the entire nation; it has become the norm,” he said.
“I lived in Yoduk prison camp for 10 years; I was treated like an animal there. I had watched many people die from starvation and beatings.
“I witnessed open executions and watched helplessly as people died miserably.
“These fearful scenes have not left my mind.”
Mary, whose surname was withheld by Release for security reasons, is another Christian refugee from North Korea now living in China. She secretly delivers food parcels into North Korea together with Bible verses.
In one month alone, she delivered 100 packages containing sausages, bread, soap and a toothbrush, together with the hand-written Bible verses.
Release said people living in the border area, including her uncle Mr Lee, had come to know Christ as a result of her visits.
