The few Christians living in North Korea have to remain incognito. This country is number 1 on the World Persecution List 2023.
Newsroom (06/01/2023 11:10 AM, Gaudium Press) The international organization Open Doors Mission, dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians in countries where Christianity is legally discouraged or suppressed, published an interview with a Christian from North Korea, who prefers anonymity to avoid persecution.
Indeed, he explained that if a Christian is discovered, he is tortured, sent to political prison camps where few survive the forced labor, and others are executed.
He points out that the pressure on Christians has increased with the passage of the anti-reactionary law. A sophisticated surveillance system by police, secret agents, and neighborhood committees forces the faithful underground. “The church is surviving by God’s grace. Everyone is taking twice as much care, only their own family members know that they are Christians.”
However, parents say nothing to their young children to prevent them from discovering their faith: “If one of them recites a Bible verse at school or hums a hymn of praise, the whole family is condemned. Therefore, many wait until they are older and know how to keep their faith a secret.”
The interviewee states that God has blessed the North Korean church with provision and many blessings. “Our prayer is that God will open the doors for the secret church to continue to be united and grow.” He asks for prayers for his team and contacts and “that the North Korean secret Christians will not be found by the authorities.”
Compiled by Angelica Vecchiato
