Before news of the postponement of Dr. Rick Warren's controversial meeting in North Korea was released, the evangelical pastor told a television news agency that his planned preaching in the communist country is "worth it" despite the criticisms and possible propaganda motives.

|PIC1|In an interview on Thursday with ABC news correspondent Dan Harris on "Nightline", Warren was questioned on the risk of being used in a propaganda boon by the North Korean regime.

"Of course people can use you," Warren told Harris on the night of a massive South Korean Christian rally at Sangamdong World Cup Stadium. "The issue is, 'Is it worth it? Is it worth it to go ahead and help people find meaning and hope in Jesus Christ and purpose for their life and eternal salvation? Is that worth it in order to be criticised, misunderstood and even used?' In my hands, I said, 'Absolutely.'"

Warren was originally scheduled to arrive in North Korea on July 17 to hold preparatory meetings with religious leaders about a March 2007 rally in which Warren was invited to speak to 15,000 Christians in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital city. The trip for Monday, however, was postponed, according to an announcement made Friday.

Amid a push for a resolution over North Korea's recent missile tests, the isolated country remains the number one violator of human rights in the world, according to religious persecution watchdog Open Doors USA. North Korea has topped Open Doors' World Watch List of persecutors for four straight years and has been repeatedly designated as a "country of particular concern" by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

|AD|"I called a bunch of advisors, people that I trust, and prayed about it," Warren said in the interview. "And the final analysis I thought, ‘When somebody goes into a country that has tended to be closed to Christianity or religion, it can’t help but provide more of an openness and provide visibility.'"

While the Constitution provides for "freedom of religious belief," the North Korean Government severely restricts religious freedom and people are taught to revere Kim Jong-Il – the North’s “Dear Leader” – as a god, as Dr. Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, had stated.

"Genuine religious freedom does not exist," stated the U.S. Department of State's 2005 International Religious Freedom Report.

Not only are there restrictions on religious freedom, but basic human rights are also violated. Tens of thousands are believed to be starving and suffering in prison camps. And human rights officials fear a food crisis in the country which decided to reject international aid last year.

Despite criticisms, dangers, or possibly being used for propaganda, as Warren had said earlier, "Regardless of politics, I will go anywhere I am invited to preach the Gospel"

News of the delay was made after a fax from North Korea's Korean Christian Federation was sent to South Korea Thursday night. The trip may be rescheduled for later in the week. Meanwhile, Warren's invitation to preach in March 2007 to 15,000 people still stands.

If, however, Warren sees signs that his speech will be limited or that his visit will make the lives of North Koreans any worse, he will “pull the plug,” USA-based ABC reported.





Lillian Kwon
Christian Today Correspondent