by Brian HuttPosted: Monday, October 11, 2010, 19:31 (BST)
The chief executive of Release International is calling on Christians to express their solidarity with persecuted believers in North Korea next month.
It is holding a day of worship, prayer and testimony on November 6 to highlight the plight of Christians in the reclusive communist country.
One of the main speakers at the conference is a Christian man who defected from North Korea. He will address delegates on the difficulties faced by Christians there.
With current leader, Kim Jong-il, lining up his son to be his successor, it is not certain whether a change of leadership will improve the situation of Christians, who face arrest, imprisonment, torture and even death for their faith.
"The eyes of the world are currently on North Korea - one of the world's worst abusers of religious freedom," said Andy Dipper, Release CEO.
"Christians are treated without mercy. Up to three generations of Christian families are rounded up and thrown in prison camps to try to eliminate the faith.
"The nation is now grooming its next leader. But the question is, will Kim Jong-un finally put an end to his country's policy of ruthless persecution?"
The conference will also hear testimonies from persecuted Christians in Sri Lanka and Eritrea, while a former missionary to China will explain the challenges experienced by unregistered churches there.
Dipper said the conference was a chance for Christians in the UK to stand with persecuted believers around the world "in spirit" and to be "encouraged by the vitality of their faith".
He said: "We can learn so much about overcoming faith from our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world."
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/north.koreas.christians.face.uncertain.future.under.next.leader/26875.htm
Showing posts with label North Korea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Korea. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Underground church leaders executed in North Korea
by Staff
August 30, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - Three leaders of an underground house church in North Korea have been executed and 20 of their Christian associates jailed. North Korean police raided a house in Kuwal-dong in Pyungsung county, Pyongan province, and arrested all 23 believers who had gathered for a "religious function."
Three "ringleaders" were tried, sentenced to death, and executed soon afterwards. The other 20 were reportedly sent to prison camp No. 15 in Yodok. The arrests and executions happened in mid-May -- the news, however, only recently emerged from the so-called "hermit kingdom." The events have also been confirmed by North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul committed to raising awareness of injustice and promoting reform in their homeland. The 23 Christians had reportedly come to faith after some of them travelled to mainland China on business and came into contact with the church there. (Sources: Release International, AsiaNews)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09629.shtml
August 30, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - Three leaders of an underground house church in North Korea have been executed and 20 of their Christian associates jailed. North Korean police raided a house in Kuwal-dong in Pyungsung county, Pyongan province, and arrested all 23 believers who had gathered for a "religious function."
Three "ringleaders" were tried, sentenced to death, and executed soon afterwards. The other 20 were reportedly sent to prison camp No. 15 in Yodok. The arrests and executions happened in mid-May -- the news, however, only recently emerged from the so-called "hermit kingdom." The events have also been confirmed by North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul committed to raising awareness of injustice and promoting reform in their homeland. The 23 Christians had reportedly come to faith after some of them travelled to mainland China on business and came into contact with the church there. (Sources: Release International, AsiaNews)
source:http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion09629.shtml
Monday, August 23, 2010
Christian group calls for ‘meaningful action’ on North Korea
In this file photo, people stand in front of a giant statue of Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea, to pay respect to the late North Korean leader (AP) by Brian HuttPosted: Monday, August 23, 2010, 8:44 (BST)
A Christian human rights group is urging Europe’s foreign ministers to add their support to a UN inquiry into crimes against humanity committed in North Korea.Christian Solidarity Worldwide has written to foreign ministers of all EU member states asking them to support the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into the secluded communist country when the EU introduces its annual resolution on the North Korean human rights situation to the UN General Assembly in October.
The call follows reports last week that three underground church leaders were executed by authorities in Pyungsung county, Pyongan province. Another 20 Christians were reportedly sent to hard labour camps.
CSW said there was a “prima facie case of crimes against humanity” being committed by the North Korean regime.
These crimes, it said, included murder, “intense” forced labour, the forcible transfer of people, arbitrary imprisonment, and torture.
“The use of public executions as a method of generating fear and obedience is also illegal under international law,” CSW said.
It warned that prisoners were facing “systematic and severe” torture, “dire” living conditions, chronic food shortages and “brutal punishments”.
CSW said relatives of prisoners were often guilty by association, meaning that as many as 200,000 people could be incarcerated within North Korea’s prison camps.
“The barbaric system is calculated to cause extreme fatigue and sickness, and refugees have stated that imprisonment in the camps amounts to nothing more than a harsh, drawn-out death sentence,” CSW said.
“Life expectancy in the camps is one to two years – the same as that in Nazi concentration camps 70 years ago.”
North Korea has been named the world’s worst persecutor of Christians by Open Doors for the last eight years. Religion is outlawed in North Korea, where the people are expected to worship only the supreme leader, Kim Jong-il and his late father and predecessor, Kim il-sung.
The country’s estimated 400,000 Christians are forced to worship behind closed doors and face imprisonment, torture or public execution if the authorities discover their faith.
CSW’s National Director Stuart Windsor said, “The regime in North Korea is committing the most barbaric violations of human rights and it is time that the UN General Assembly took meaningful action to prevent the continuing suffering of the North Korean people.
“A Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity is an essential step towards justice and an end to impunity, and we urge the EU to support this recommendation and work proactively to achieve it.”
source:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.group.calls.for.meaningful.action.on.north.korea/26556.htm
Thursday, January 7, 2010
North Korea tops persecution watchlist – again
by Brian Hutt
North Korea has been named the world’s worst persecutor of Christians for the eighth year running by Open Doors.
The reclusive communist country topped the ministry’s annual list of 50 countries where the most severe persecution of Christians has occurred in the past year.
Open Doors said the North Korean government was arresting and killing Christians, as well as torturing them in “horrible ways”. The ministry has received evidence that arrested Christians are being used as guinea pigs in the testing of biological or chemical weapons.
Carl Moeller, head of Open Doors USA, said, “There is no other country in the world where Christians are being persecuted in such a horrible and systematic manner.”
The report said that in spite of the hardships, Christianity was growing in North Korea and opportunities to hear the Gospel were growing, particularly in cities close to the Chinese border.
North Korea was followed on the watchlist by Iran and Saudi Arabia. Open Doors said Iran was ranked second as a result of a wave of arrests of Christians that began in 2008 and intensified in 2009. At least 85 Christians were arrested in the Islamic country, with many of them reporting mistreatment at the hands of the authorities.
Open Doors believes the arrests were a ploy of the Iranian government to distract attention away from internal unrest and to show it was still in control. The majority of those arrested have been released, although for some, court cases are still pending.
Although Saudi Arabia moved down one place on the watchlist to rank third, Open Doors said this was not because the situation for Christians had improved, but rather because there were no reports of Christians being killed or physically harmed for their faith, and only one Christian was known to have been arrested.
It remains in the top three, however, because of its strict adherence to Wahabbi Islam, which allows citizens only to adhere to Islam and deems apostasy punishable by death. Christians may worship in private, but anyone found to publicly practising their faith faces arrest, imprisonment, lashing, deportation, and torture.
Also making it into the top ten were Somalia, the Maldives, Afghanistan, Yemen, Mauritania, Laos and Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan came off the list altogether this year, but Open Doors stressed this was not because religious freedom had improved there but because the situation for Christians in other countries had worsened.
The report noted: “This may change again if Kazakhstan implements tougher legislation on religion in the future.”
Source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/north.korea.tops.persecution.watchlist.again/25018.htm
North Korea has been named the world’s worst persecutor of Christians for the eighth year running by Open Doors.
The reclusive communist country topped the ministry’s annual list of 50 countries where the most severe persecution of Christians has occurred in the past year.
Open Doors said the North Korean government was arresting and killing Christians, as well as torturing them in “horrible ways”. The ministry has received evidence that arrested Christians are being used as guinea pigs in the testing of biological or chemical weapons.
Carl Moeller, head of Open Doors USA, said, “There is no other country in the world where Christians are being persecuted in such a horrible and systematic manner.”
The report said that in spite of the hardships, Christianity was growing in North Korea and opportunities to hear the Gospel were growing, particularly in cities close to the Chinese border.
North Korea was followed on the watchlist by Iran and Saudi Arabia. Open Doors said Iran was ranked second as a result of a wave of arrests of Christians that began in 2008 and intensified in 2009. At least 85 Christians were arrested in the Islamic country, with many of them reporting mistreatment at the hands of the authorities.
Open Doors believes the arrests were a ploy of the Iranian government to distract attention away from internal unrest and to show it was still in control. The majority of those arrested have been released, although for some, court cases are still pending.
Although Saudi Arabia moved down one place on the watchlist to rank third, Open Doors said this was not because the situation for Christians had improved, but rather because there were no reports of Christians being killed or physically harmed for their faith, and only one Christian was known to have been arrested.
It remains in the top three, however, because of its strict adherence to Wahabbi Islam, which allows citizens only to adhere to Islam and deems apostasy punishable by death. Christians may worship in private, but anyone found to publicly practising their faith faces arrest, imprisonment, lashing, deportation, and torture.
Also making it into the top ten were Somalia, the Maldives, Afghanistan, Yemen, Mauritania, Laos and Uzbekistan.
Kazakhstan came off the list altogether this year, but Open Doors stressed this was not because religious freedom had improved there but because the situation for Christians in other countries had worsened.
The report noted: “This may change again if Kazakhstan implements tougher legislation on religion in the future.”
Source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/north.korea.tops.persecution.watchlist.again/25018.htm
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Persecution in North Korea set to worsen in 2010
by Jenna Lyle
Posted: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 10:43 (GMT)
A charity supporting oppressed believers around the world has warned that persecution against Christians is set to worsen in North Korea in 2010.
Practising Christianity is currently illegal in the reclusive communist country and Christians can face imprisonment, torture and even execution for their faith.
Release International works through local Christian partners to support North Korean refugees fleeing to China or South Korea, by providing pastoral care, safe houses, and Christian literature and Bibles.
Partner Tim Peters said North Korea was one of the world’s worst trouble spots for Christians. In the latest edition of the Release magazine, he said he had received reports of worsening persecution against Christians as the North Korean economy continues to collapse.
“2010 is forecast to be a year of tremendous hardship and food shortages since the country’s harvest in 2009 was a poor one,” he said.
Kang Cheol Hwan is a former prisoner who converted to Christianity after finding refuge in South Korea. He told Release the situation was getting worse in North Korea.
“It is like a giant prison camp has crossed the land. Starvation spreads out over the entire nation; it has become the norm,” he said.
“I lived in Yoduk prison camp for 10 years; I was treated like an animal there. I had watched many people die from starvation and beatings.
“I witnessed open executions and watched helplessly as people died miserably.
“These fearful scenes have not left my mind.”
Mary, whose surname was withheld by Release for security reasons, is another Christian refugee from North Korea now living in China. She secretly delivers food parcels into North Korea together with Bible verses.
In one month alone, she delivered 100 packages containing sausages, bread, soap and a toothbrush, together with the hand-written Bible verses.
Release said people living in the border area, including her uncle Mr Lee, had come to know Christ as a result of her visits.
Mr Lee, whose first name was withheld by Release for security reasons, told the organisation that March, April and May were the hardest months for North Koreans.
“Those without food must eat grass and catch frogs. At the market there is meat, but it’s not affordable,” he said.
Release said Mary was taking a terrible risk by delivering the packages.
She told the organisation: “God has poured His love upon me so I cannot stop my work.”
Release partners have given Mr Lee an mp3 player containing Christian material, which he has to keep hidden. He told Release he tries to memorise as much Scripture as he can.
“Pray that North Korea will open its door to Christian activity,” he said.
Release CEO Andy Dipper recently visited the North Korean border. He appealed to Christians to pray for believers there.
“Christians found to have Christian literature, or holding Bible studies and prayer meetings are subject to imprisonment – and so are their families,” he said.
Release is urging Christians to pray that God will restore a just government to North Korea, for the thousands of Christians who are forced to practise their faith in secret, and for Christians who make the dangerous journey through China to share the love of Christ with refugees.
The organisation fears that the plight of Christians in Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan is also set to take a turn for the worse in 2010.
Christians are still waiting for the perpetrators of deadly attacks carried out in Gojra, Pakistan, to be brought to justice. Some 50 houses were destroyed and eight Christians killed in the attacks in August.
Release and its partners are pressing the Pakistani government to repeal the controversial blasphemy laws, which they say are being used to falsely accuse Christians and stir up religious hatred.
One Release partner said Kyrgyzstan was about to become the most dangerous country for Christians in Central Asia in 2010 thanks to a new law that requires every local church to have at least 200 members before it can be officially registered.
The partner, who was unnamed for security reasons, said: “This means that 95 per cent of independent and evangelical churches could be forced to close and their property be confiscated.”
Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries, supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, as well as their families, supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and seeking justice.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/persecution.in.north.korea.set.to.worsen.in.2010/24995.htm
Posted: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 10:43 (GMT)
A charity supporting oppressed believers around the world has warned that persecution against Christians is set to worsen in North Korea in 2010.
Practising Christianity is currently illegal in the reclusive communist country and Christians can face imprisonment, torture and even execution for their faith.
Release International works through local Christian partners to support North Korean refugees fleeing to China or South Korea, by providing pastoral care, safe houses, and Christian literature and Bibles.
Partner Tim Peters said North Korea was one of the world’s worst trouble spots for Christians. In the latest edition of the Release magazine, he said he had received reports of worsening persecution against Christians as the North Korean economy continues to collapse.
“2010 is forecast to be a year of tremendous hardship and food shortages since the country’s harvest in 2009 was a poor one,” he said.
Kang Cheol Hwan is a former prisoner who converted to Christianity after finding refuge in South Korea. He told Release the situation was getting worse in North Korea.
“It is like a giant prison camp has crossed the land. Starvation spreads out over the entire nation; it has become the norm,” he said.
“I lived in Yoduk prison camp for 10 years; I was treated like an animal there. I had watched many people die from starvation and beatings.
“I witnessed open executions and watched helplessly as people died miserably.
“These fearful scenes have not left my mind.”
Mary, whose surname was withheld by Release for security reasons, is another Christian refugee from North Korea now living in China. She secretly delivers food parcels into North Korea together with Bible verses.
In one month alone, she delivered 100 packages containing sausages, bread, soap and a toothbrush, together with the hand-written Bible verses.
Release said people living in the border area, including her uncle Mr Lee, had come to know Christ as a result of her visits.
Mr Lee, whose first name was withheld by Release for security reasons, told the organisation that March, April and May were the hardest months for North Koreans.
“Those without food must eat grass and catch frogs. At the market there is meat, but it’s not affordable,” he said.
Release said Mary was taking a terrible risk by delivering the packages.
She told the organisation: “God has poured His love upon me so I cannot stop my work.”
Release partners have given Mr Lee an mp3 player containing Christian material, which he has to keep hidden. He told Release he tries to memorise as much Scripture as he can.
“Pray that North Korea will open its door to Christian activity,” he said.
Release CEO Andy Dipper recently visited the North Korean border. He appealed to Christians to pray for believers there.
“Christians found to have Christian literature, or holding Bible studies and prayer meetings are subject to imprisonment – and so are their families,” he said.
Release is urging Christians to pray that God will restore a just government to North Korea, for the thousands of Christians who are forced to practise their faith in secret, and for Christians who make the dangerous journey through China to share the love of Christ with refugees.
The organisation fears that the plight of Christians in Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan is also set to take a turn for the worse in 2010.
Christians are still waiting for the perpetrators of deadly attacks carried out in Gojra, Pakistan, to be brought to justice. Some 50 houses were destroyed and eight Christians killed in the attacks in August.
Release and its partners are pressing the Pakistani government to repeal the controversial blasphemy laws, which they say are being used to falsely accuse Christians and stir up religious hatred.
One Release partner said Kyrgyzstan was about to become the most dangerous country for Christians in Central Asia in 2010 thanks to a new law that requires every local church to have at least 200 members before it can be officially registered.
The partner, who was unnamed for security reasons, said: “This means that 95 per cent of independent and evangelical churches could be forced to close and their property be confiscated.”
Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries, supporting pastors and Christian prisoners, as well as their families, supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and seeking justice.
source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/persecution.in.north.korea.set.to.worsen.in.2010/24995.htm
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