Being discovered as a Christian in North Korea can be a death sentence.
bottom"I might be the only Christian in North Korea…I hope that someday, I can meet another follower of Jesus."
– Ji Ho
It’s impossible for Christians to live freely in North Korea. If discovered, believers are deported to labour camps as political criminals, where they face a life of hard labour which few survive, or they are killed on the spot. The same fate awaits their family members. There are believed to be tens of thousands of Christians held in labour camps across the country.
Meeting for worship is almost impossible and must be done in utmost secrecy—and at grave risk. The churches shown to visitors in Pyongyang serve mere propaganda purposes.
In May 2023, five members of a family were arrested as they gathered for prayer and Bible study. Christian literature was also confiscated. The group had reportedly been meeting on a weekly basis, and their arrest followed a tip-off by an informant.
The deplorable treatment of believers is driven by the authoritarian regime’s view that Christians are a particular threat to the country’s leadership and society. The “Anti-Reactionary Thought Law” (enacted in December 2020) makes it clear that being a Christian or possessing a Bible is a serious crime and will be severely punished.
All Christians in North Korea are vulnerable to extreme persecution at the hands of the country’s totalitarian regime. This past year has seen North Korea fortify its border with China, making it increasingly challenging for North Koreans to flee the country.
This, together with legislation introduced in 2020, which makes it clear that being a Christian or possessing a Bible will be severely punished, looks to be part of a concerted plan by the regime to further assert their authority.
– That believers imprisoned for their faith will know God’s loving presence with them.
– That secret believers will be protected from the scrutiny of the authorities.
– That Kim Jong Un’s regime will become more open to the international community.
Through secret networks outside the country, Open Doors’ local partners are helping around 100,000 North Korean believers by providing vital food and aid, shelter, and discipleship training for North Korean refugees.
This essential help is provided at safe houses in China and through radio broadcasting from outside the country.
