We support people who are beaten, tortured, laughed at, imprisoned, falsely accused, disowned, ignored and hated simply for following Jesus.
News / Thoughts
Updates, ideas, reflections and articles from Open Doors and our friends
North Korea: A message from a secret Christian
When the Bible is illegal in North Korea, and being caught with one can mean a death sentence, how do secret North Korean Christians learn more about God and his Word? The answer is simple – they secretly leave North Korea.
North Korean believers make the dangerous and illegal journey over border from North Korea into China, where they are met by Open Doors partners who care for them in safe houses. The Christians are then taught more about the Bible.
They will often be given food, clothes and medicines to take with them back into North Korea, alongside Biblical materials. This sometimes takes the form of audio files, with Christian music and Bibles stories. Those who run the safe houses for North Koreans are also taking huge risks to do this work – it’s illegal to help North Korean ‘defectors’ and North Korean spies have assassinated Chinese Christians who were working with them.
Hae-Seok’s story
This is exactly how Hae-Seok learnt more about God. After Hae-Seok left a Chinese safe house with his Bible resources, it was a while before anything was heard from him, but Open Doors workers continued to pray for him to stand firm in his faith in North Korea.
Amazingly, he recently got in touch. This is what he wrote:
Beloved Brother,
How have you been?
I have been listening to those music (Gospel music) which I received from you. That is so good.
During the family gathering, I also shared the stories (Gospel) that you shared with me. Those are very interesting and impressive.
I appreciate on your love and concern. Thank you again, brother. I miss you so much!
I am looking forward to meeting you soon again. Take care!
From Hae-Seok
Thank God that Hae-Seok has been able to share the gospel stories with his family!
What is it really like inside North Korea?
North Korea is currently number 1 on the Open Doors World Watch List. In North Korea, the Leader Kim Jong-un and his family are revered as gods, and any other form of religion is completely forbidden. Christians there must keep their faith an absolute secret, even from their children, for fear of imprisonment, torture, and even death.
There are an estimated 200,000-400,000 Christians living in North Korea currently – between 50,000 and 70,000 of them are imprisoned in labour camps. But, thanks to your prayers and support, Christians like Hae-Seok are not only surviving – they’re thriving and sharing the gospel with those around them.
The last few months have seen some seemingly amazing positive steps forward for North Korea. Kim Jong-un met with Moon Jae-in, the president of South Korea, and shortly afterwards he met with President Donald Trump of the USA. However, Open Doors North Korean contacts are still concerned. Please keep those involved in the talks for peace on the Korean peninsula in your prayers.
Pray now…
- For Hae-Seok and his family, and all believers in North Korea, that God would protect them and provide opportunities to share fellowship with one another
- That Open Doors local partners providing Bible training would be able to reach more of our brothers and sisters safely
- For all those involved in North Korean peace talks, and for leaders Kim Jong-un, Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump, that they would maintain healthy relationships with one another
Standing strong
Join us at one of our Standing Strong celebrations to hear more from your persecuted family, joining with them in a time of dedicated prayer and worship…
*Name changed for security reasons
We support people who are beaten, tortured,
imprisoned, falsely accused, and hated simply for following Jesus.
