Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: September 14, 2024
"Why do the nations conspire and the people's plot in vain?"
These words from Psalm 2 rang through my mind as I stood staring out across the Imjin river looking directly at North Korea. Through binoculars I could see the block built houses, the 'Tower of Life' obelisk dedicated to the Kim dynasty that stands near the border but is identical to thousands of others erected as a constant reminder of the Kim's absolute power.
I silently prayed for a group of North Korean soldiers who were staring back towards me.
As the rain started to fall I heard the eeriest of sounds, in response to loud speakers from South Korea which direct loud K-Pop music over the demilitarised zone, the North Koreans have set up a giant stack of speakers that play sounds similar to white noise, only somehow far more discordant.
I am in Korea for the latest CSW report on the human rights situation in North Korea and the plight of Christian groups in particular. We launched to a packed room and have been welcomed by government officials, church leaders, NGO partners and academics alike.
Most importantly we met with escapees like my friend Jun, a young man who travelled secretly for 10 months before finally arriving in South Korea, Jun told me that he had never met a Christian until he arrived in China. Being a follower of Jesus in North Korea is unbelievably difficult and risky, if discovered Christians are dealt with as if they were terrorists committing treason, execution by firing squad the most likely consequence. Churches are tiny and isolated, meeting in family homes, always in secret.
Our report asks the world to not look away, to not forget the plight of North Koreans and instead to speak up and to pray for change in that country. And of course Psalm 2 leaves us with tremendous hope, in response to those evil, conspiring kings "The one enthroned in heaven laughs... he rebukes them in his anger (v 4&5). And He gifts the nations to Jesus as his inheritance (v8).
And so as I stare at arguably the world's most repressive regime I find myself praying again with confidence and hope "Lord may your kingdom come in North Korea as it is in heaven!"
Please join us in prayer this week for North Korea:
- For 3 missionaries taken over 10 years ago and for their whereabouts to be disclosed to their families.
- For Kim Cheol-Ok who was forcefully repatriated last October and for all those who have been sent back from China to North Korea, that their whereabouts would be made known and they would be released.
- For China to stop their policy of refoulement (the returning of escapees back to North Korea).
- For long-term lasting change in North Korea.
- For the impact of our report, that it would be read by decision makers and the recommendations acted upon.
Scot Bower
CEO