Open Doors estimates that there are currently between 50,000 and 70,000 Christians in North Korea’s complex prison system. Being in a labor camp is comparable to a death sentence.
Following Jesus in North Korea is notoriously life-threatening. The communist dictatorship has topped WWL’s persecution report for more than 20 years, and in the most recent list of the most dangerous places for Christians, the country topped the list.
This may be common knowledge, but it is still horrifying to hear the news highlighting the enormous dangers facing Christians in North Korea.
Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported in late May that a group of five Christians were arrested in the middle of a secret worship service. Christians gathered to pray at a farm in Tongam village in central South Pyeongan province when police raided.
The small group had been meeting once a week and the arrest was the result of a tip from an informant.
The authorities took the Christians with them and confiscated all Christian material.
Sources told Radio Free Asia that the small group has been meeting once a week and that the reason for the arrest was a tip-off from a “knocker”.
“The police collected dozens of Bible booklets from the place of worship and arrested all the participants,” one of the sources told RFA.
“A Justice Department employee told us that they [Christians] refused to say where they got their Bibles and said, ‘All for Jesus, even in death,'” the source told RFA.
A possible death sentence
Although it is not known exactly what happened to the five Christians. Being caught attending a church service or possessing Christian materials can result in severe penalties, including immediate execution.
In the past, Christians arrested for practicing their faith and possessing a Bible have been sentenced to life in one of North Korea’s notorious labor camps.
Open Doors estimates that there are currently between 50,000 and 70,000 Christians in the country’s complex prison system. Being in a camp can be like a death sentence.
Hea Woo (pictured) is a Christian North Korean refugee currently living in South Korea. She also remained steadfast in his faith.
North Korean Christian Hea Woo*, who has spent periods in labor camps, describes one of the camp’s horrors.
“Death was part of our everyday life. Usually the bodies were cremated and the guards scattered the ashes on the road. Every day we walked along this road, and I always thought that one day other prisoners would walk over me.”
The whereabouts of the five imprisoned Christians are unknown, but they reportedly refused to renounce their faith.
Not an isolated case
The reporting of cases of entrapment is a rare glimpse into the reality in which Christians in North Korea live. This is rare because even talking about such incidents can be dangerous for Christians in the country.
“This case is just one of many violations of religious freedom in North Korea,” says Brother Simon*, OD’s work coordinator in North Korea.
“At OD, we are aware of many similar cases that have taken place in different regions of the country in recent years. However, we will not disclose any details as they may endanger local Christians.”
North Korea’s estimated 400,000 Christians live in near-constant and unthinkable danger. However, this does not mean that they are alone.
Constant danger, constant prayer
Brother Simon points out that these reports should bring us to our knees: “It is clear that the constant prayer and concern for the plight of the secret Christians in North Korea should never end,” he says.
God answers prayers, even though we may not see it in such stark reality. Even in labor camps, which are like hell on earth, He does His work.
“God helped me survive,” says Hea Woo about her time in the labor camp.
“More than that: He gave me the desire to preach the gospel to other prisoners! He showed me who I should approach. God used me to lead five people to faith.”
“We met hidden from the eyes of the guards, often in the toilet. We had a short service there. I taught them Bible verses and some songs that we sang almost silently.”
The horrors of arrests, imprisonments and executions are part of the story of Christianity in North Korea. So is this powerful story of God’s work in the darkest imaginable circumstances.
This story reminds us to continue to pray for Christians in North Korea – and that He will always and in all circumstances care for His church.
*Name changed for security reasons.
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