![]() The report said: 'One defector told Korea Future that the government published graphic novels in which Christians coaxed children into churches and took them to the basement to draw their blood.'Īnd while most of the cases of religious persecution documented by Korea Future targeted those pracitising shamanism, it was Christians who normally received the harshest punishments. 'Children are encouraged to tell their teachers about any sign of faith in their parents' home.'Īnother NGO, Korea Future, said children were taught in school about the 'evil deeds' of Christian missionaries, including 'rape, blood sucking, organ harvesting, murder, and espionage'. It cited the finding of one NGO, Open Doors USA, which said: 'A Christian is never safe. ![]() The US State Department's publication said many North Korean Christians hide their faith from their children. 'What you did not see were children or young working-age people.' 'The congregation was made up of older men – all seemingly over 65 – and women over 40,' he said. He also noted something that was highlighted in the report – no children attend the services. In this case it might be a mixture of showmanship and a few elderly Christians in the area.' 'It feels real but like many things indeed it may be somewhat a show for tourists. 'Are the services regular? The church seems maintained but is it a regular event? In the society you see no evidence of religious activity – except for Buddhism. He said: 'I came away wondering just how real this is. Ray Cunningham, from the US state of Illinois, visited Chilgol Protestant Church in Pyongyang during a service. North Korea highlights the churches it has built in Pyongyang as 'proof' of its religious tolerance ![]() It cited the testimony of one defector, who said people could be arrested for lingering too long outside the churches and listening to music from within, or even consistently driving past them.Ĭhilgol Protestant Church in Pyongyang. Ostensibly, North Korea guarantees its people religious freedom in its constitution – and the regime highlights the churches it has built in Pyongyang as proof.īut the publication said these churches operate only as 'showpieces for foreigners'. ![]() It cites one estimate that up to 70,000 Christians are imprisoned for their faith under Kim Jong-Un's regime, out of a possible population of 400,000. The report – which summarises the findings of various non-governmental organisations, human rights groups, and the UN – paints a disturbing picture of Christian life in North Korea. Other horrors endured by Christians include starvation, dehydration, tainted food, beatings, and forced adoption of agonising positions for prolonged periods. One Christian woman in solitary confinement was driven to suicide in 2020 after prison guards refused to let her sleep, according to the report. Others were tortured with sleep deprivation. 'It was so painful that I felt it was better to die.' 'It was the most painful of all tortures,' one victim recalled. The report cites one estimate that up to 70,000 Christians are imprisoned for their faith under Kim Jong-Un's regime, out of a possible population of 400,000 ![]()
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