The Voice of the Martyrs of Korea published letters of thanks received from workers from the DPRK who work abroad, according to the Christian Megaportal inVictory, citing the organization’s press center.
Knowledge of the outside world opened the door to despair. But knowing God opened the door to hope. That’s what Dr. Hyun Suk Foley draws about the current situation of North Koreans working abroad, based on letters released this week by the Voice of the Martyrs of Korea, a non-governmental organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world.
The letters, dated late December, were written by North Korean workers in response to aid packages provided by the organization through local ministers. Spokesman Foley said the packages contained medicines, hygiene items and an audio Bible.
“The five letters show that workers have little to no ability to protect their health and lives,” said Foley. “One North Korean worker wrote that “even animals have more freedom than we do,” while another called himself and other workers “slaves dying powerless.””
Letters indicate that it appears that COVID has hit a large number of North Korean workers overseas.
“North Korean workers wrote that if they stay abroad, they will contract the coronavirus and die from lack of treatment. But they also fear that if they manage to escape, they will never be able to see their loved ones in North Korea again. One worker wrote, “No matter the cost, I plan to return to Joseon, North Korea,” said spokeswoman Foley.
The complete lack of choice leads to the fact that people are open to God.
One North Korean worker wrote: “It is easier for us to find God because we are in a very difficult situation. It is obvious that if we did not know God, we would give up and wallow in despair.”
“Karl Marx and all the communists who followed him, up to this day, have always rejected religion, calling it “the opium of the people,” which distracts people from the so-called revolutionary struggle,” Foley’s spokesman says. “But when North Koreans are sent to work abroad and they see the outside world with their own eyes, they realize that it is the North Korean ideology that is the opium. It has blinded their minds so that they do not have true knowledge not only about economics, politics and culture, which is carefully hidden by the government, but also the knowledge of God, who, as they then quickly realize, is their only hope.
Representative Foley quoted one North Korean worker as saying, “If I didn’t know the world, I would be able to bear all the hardships more easily. Because of the hardships that have befallen us, we would have nothing left but anger and hatred.” But the same worker added, “I talk about the Bible every day with a friend. We have developed a relationship in which we are very dependent on each other. Even when we return to Korea, we have a plan, we want our parents and brothers to know the God we now know.”
“When North Korean workers hear the word of God, they realize that the answers they are looking for cannot be found by fleeing to South Korea or back to North Korea,” said spokeswoman Foley. “Answers can only be found by seeking and knowing God exactly where they are today.” She quotes one worker who wrote: “Every day, three of my companions and I fall in love with the Holy Spirit. God is with us every day, it is like the air we breathe and the food we take in.”
Spokesperson Foley says Voice of the Martyrs Korea supplies North Korean-language Bibles in both audio and print formats to North Koreans, as well as overseas workers and to women trafficked into China for sex. Bibles are given directly to recipients, often as part of small parcels containing masks, medicines, and hygiene items. She says that underground Christians from North Korea and other countries where the Voice of the Martyrs-Korea reaches the North Koreans are doing the distribution.
Below are the year-end letters from North Korean workers published this week by Voice of the Martyrs-Korea, with minor changes to ensure the safety of the authors.
* * *
Hello. At first I didn’t know, but now I know that even animals have more freedom than we do, because we can’t go outside. If I did not know the world, it would be easier for me to endure hardships, but now it is very difficult for me to do this. Because of the difficulties that have befallen us, we would have nothing left but anger and hatred. However, every day I talk about the Bible with my friend. We have developed a relationship in which we are very dependent on each other. Even when we return to Korea, we have a plan, we want to bring our parents and brothers to know the God we now know. Recently, I learned in detail about Christmas, which I had never heard of in Korea, that it was the day Jesus was born. It struck me that this is a universal holiday that only North Koreans do not know about. Wherever we go, we are with God, so we are no longer afraid. We believe that God will be with us in the new year. Sincerely!
* * *
“Hello. Haven’t written for a long time. It has been […] years since I am unable to return to my hometown in North Korea due to COVID-19. I was very tired and exhausted. Perhaps if I did not know God, I would be just a slave, dying in powerlessness. Many people died during the Hard March, but even that would not have been as painful as it is now. I relied on God and prayed to have hope and not be discouraged. I see His love through the medicines and food you sent me. It is said that the doors of North Korea will open next year. All people infected with COVID-19 are dead. I am very sorry that they cannot go to heaven because they did not know God. I believe that God will protect us and be with us in the New Year. Thank you.”
* * *
“Hi, how are you? My three companions and I fall in love with the Holy Spirit every day. Because it is our daily bread. God is with us every day, it is like the air we breathe and the food we take in. It is easier for us to find God, because we are in a very difficult situation. Obviously, if we did not know God, we would give up and wallow in despair.” 2022 is already coming to an end. I believe that God will give us new hope next year and I will pray for it. Comrade […], who was ill, survived after taking medicine brought to her by a Chinese boss. Sincerely.”
* * *
“Hello. When I believed in Jesus, I had a desire to go to a church attended by South Koreans and Chinese. Now, I think I’ll have to run away to make this wish come true. It is hard to imagine that I will go somewhere, leaving my parents and younger brother (sister) in North Korea. That is why it is very difficult for me in recent days. Will God show me the way if I pray to Him? I just thank God for letting me forget all the pain I’m going through right now. I want to preach the Gospel to my fellows who don’t know God. I want to thank all the ministers who have not forgotten us and helped us every time and wish you a happy new year. Sincerely.”
* * *
“More than half of our factory employees are infected with COVID-19. We do not know which of them, when and how will die. There’s nothing I can do but pray. Please pray for us. Thank you for sending us medicines and household items. I wish you a happy new year. Sincerely!”
For the safety of its employees and Bible recipients, Voice of the Martyrs-Korea no longer releases a specific number of Bibles distributed in North Korea per year.
“Typically, we distribute between 40,000 and 50,000 North Korean Bibles in print and electronic formats per year to North Korean citizens outside of South Korea, although distribution has increased significantly during the pandemic as North Koreans need the hope and stability they can only be found in Christ,” Foley says. She notes that recordings of Bible readings are broadcast daily on five Voices of the Martyrs-Korea shortwave radio broadcasts.
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