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North Korea

Map reflects the 30 most recent Persecution Reports. Click HERE for the Map Legend.

 

 

American Christian Tour Operator Languishes in North Korean Prison

Saturday, May 18th, 2013

After an absurd sentencing of an American Christian to 15 years’ hard labor, North Korea shows no signs of releasing the U.S. tour operator, solidifying its reputation as the world’s worst persecutor of Christians.

North Korea Reveals American Was Sentenced to 15 Years Hard Labor for Missionary Work

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American and devout Christian, was arrested in North Korea in April for unspecified crimes. It has now been revealed by an official North Korean news source that Bae was involved in "covert" missionary activities and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. For the North Korean regime, spreading Christianity amounts to treason and many North Koreans have faced life imprisonment or even execution when accused of this crime. It is uncertain what, if anything, the U.S. can do to try to secure Bae's release. 

Former NBA Star Dennis Rodman Asks N. Korea to Free Jailed Christian

Saturday, May 11th, 2013

Kenneth Bae, a U.S. citizen and Christian, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in North Korea. While the exact reasons behind his arrest remain unclear, some suspect it may have had to do with his work visiting orphanages in the country. The Christian faith is completely banned in North Korea and practicing Christianity can lead to to imprisonment of up to three generations of ones family. Former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who made an unusual visit to North Korea's leader in recent months, has called for Kenneth Bae to be released.  

Family of Christian American Imprisoned by North Korea Speaks Out

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

It is still unclear why Kenneth Bae, an American citizen and Christian, was recently sentenced to 15 years of labor camp in North Korea. Some sources have speculated that his arrest had to do with the Kenneth's concern and desire to care for orphans in North Korea or other possible missionary activities. The United States has called for Kenneth to be released, but the autocratic North Korean regime, one of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world, seems unlikely to release Kenneth soon. 

US calls for North Korea amnesty for sentenced American Christian

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

In the midst of debate as to why Kenneth Bae, a Korean-American Christian, was sentenced to 15 years hard labor in North Korea the U.S. has stepped in and called for amnesty.

North Korea Sentences American Christian to 15 Years Hard Labor

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

An American Christian has been sentenced to 15 years hard labor in North Korea for “committing crimes against the state.” Some say that his arrest is due to the current tensions between the US and North Korea, while other sources say that he carried on missionary work that “may have attracted the attention of the authorities and resulted in his arrest and conviction. In North Korea, there is no religious freedom and the faithful are in last place in the social hierarchy.”

Broadcast Evangelism in North Korea Success

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Christian Broadcasts to Continue in North Korea

Saturday, April 13th, 2013

"If not for the Word of God, and your love and devotion in the midst of our sufferings, our lives would be dark and hopeless,” said a Christian in North Korea.  The good news, is that the Good News will continue to be brought to North Korea via Global Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR).

Persecuted Christians in North Korea Encouraged by Pope’s Prayers

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

Christians in North Korea suffer extreme persecution and are isolated from the rest of the world. Somehow, however, they have heard of the Pope’s appeal for peace. Believers there say, "We do not want to be isolated from the rest of the world."

North Korea Worst Persecutor of Christians

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

As more people flee from North Korea, their disturbing stories confirm suspicions that the nation is the worst persecutor of Christians in the world, whose violence is directed, empowered and endorsed by the government.

North Korea Continues to Make Threats as Christians Suffer

Monday, April 8th, 2013

As the world turns it's attention to North Korean threats of nuclear war it is high time that more attention be paid to the extensive human rights violations perpetrated by the North Korean regime on a daily basis. Long considered the world's worst persecutor of Christians, estimates place the number of imprisoned Christians at between 30,000 and 70,000. Once known as the Jerusalem of the East and a center of Christianity in Asia, the Communist regime run by the Kim family has tried to crush Christianity into oblivion for more than half a century. 

North Korean Christians Ask for Prayer Amid War Threats

Saturday, April 6th, 2013

North Korea's dictatorial regime led by Kim Jong-Un has ratcheted up tensions with the international community in recent days by threatening to start a nuclear war with the United States. Christians in North Korea live in total secrecy and as many as 70,000 are estimated to be imprisoned in labor camps. 

What Does Real Persecution Look Like?

Friday, April 5th, 2013

The following opinion article by Nina Shea, the director of the Hudson Intitute's Center for Religious Freedom, is an excellent overview of persecution around the world. The initial story of a North Korean executed for owning a Bible is sadly as recent as 2005, and there is little evidence that conditions have changed in North Korea since. 

New Sanctions on North Korea Mean Little Change for Imprisoned Christians

Saturday, March 9th, 2013

As many as 70,000 Christians are currently locked away in labor camps across North Korea. Despite a change of leadership last year the nation remains the world's worst persecutor of Christians. After conducting a third successful nuclear test last month the United Nations passed new sanctions in an attempt to censor North Korea for its actions, but these sanctions are unlikely to assist the countries persecuted believers. 

Dennis Rodman Endorses World’s Worst Persecutor of Christians

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

In a recent bizarre visit to North Korea, former NBA star Dennis Rodman called the nations dictator "awesome" and a "friend for life." At no point during the trip does it appear that North Korea's massive human rights violations were brought up, including the imprisonment of thousands of Christians in labor camps around the country. 

North Korea Remains Worst Persecutor of Christians in World

Friday, January 11th, 2013

In North Korea, you, your parents, and your children can be given a life sentence in a prison camp for simply owning a Bible. The North Korean regime remains the most hostile government in earth towards Christianity, and it is estimated that up to 200,000 Christians live in complete secrecy within North Korea. 

Google Chairman May Be Heading to North Korea to Help Rescue Detained American Christian

Saturday, January 5th, 2013

The following article takes a look at all of the possible reasons Google Chairman, Eric Schmidt, is planning to take a somewhat mysterious trip to North Korea next week. There is speculation that part of his mission will be to secure the release of Kenneth Bae, an American human rights activist and Christian who has been detained for over a month by North Korean authorities. Some Christian organizations have speculated that Kenneth was involved in missions work, something highly illegal in North Korea, and was summarily detained. 

Speech by North Korean Leader Met with Cynicism

Friday, January 4th, 2013

An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 Christians live in hiding throughout North Korea. Conditions are appalling, and only a few years ago evidence was revealed that a Christian woman was publicly executed for distributing Bibles in the country. North Korea is one of the world's worst persecutors of Christians and a recent New Year's day speech by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un calling for reconciliation has many, including ICC, skeptical about his motives.  

North Korean Leader Calls for End of Confrontation with South

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

North Korea remains one of, if not the worst, persecutor of Christians in the world. It is estimated that tens of thousands of Christians are interned in prison camps under terrible conditions. The predominant ideology of North Korea's Communist government, Juche, leaves no room for loyalty to religious beliefs and sees Christianity as a threat to its control. 

American Christian Remains Detained in North Korea

Monday, December 31st, 2012

North Korea continues to top nearly every list of the world's worst persecutor of Christians year after year. For a North Korean to even be discovered with a Bible can lead to the life imprisonment of themselves and up to three generations of their family. The American citizen currently detained may have been working as a secret missionary, but information is very scarce at this point. 

American Protestant Detained in North Korea

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

While the reasons for Kenneth Bae's detainment are still unclear, some suspect he may have been carrying out missionary activities within North Korea under the guise of providing tours to Western tourists and businessmen. Bae is a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from North Korea. 

Uncertain Future for Christians Under North Korea’s Kim Jong-un

Sunday, December 9th, 2012

12/9/2012 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) - In about a fortnight, Kim Jong-un will complete one year as the supreme leader of North Korea, the world's most isolated and repressive country. From some of the moves he has made in the previous months, it appears that the country's underground Christians will continue to face the most severe forms of persecution.

Hundreds of Thousands of Christians Remain in Hiding in North Korea

Saturday, December 8th, 2012

Another article highlighting the lack of changes in North Korea and the continued plight of the estimated 200,000 to 400,000 Christians. The situation looks bleaks at this point, as Christians who have spent decades being tortured, imprisoned, and executed for their faith look set to remain in hiding for the foreseeable future.

Increase of Spies in North Korea Leads to Greater Persecution

Friday, December 7th, 2012

After almost a year under their new leader, Kim Jong-Un, Christians in North Korea are still living in hiding and sentenced to labor camps for their faith. While little information flows out of the country, some sources report that North Korea has increased the number of spies sent into China to find Christian organizations helping North Korean defectors. This could make their already dangerous work even more hazardous.

Christians in North Korea Continue to Suffer

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

North Korea Spies on Christian Aid Organizations in China

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012

Plan for Christmas Lights on North Korean Border Scrapped

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

In the past, South Korean churches have erected large Christmas displays near the North Korean border during the holidays. These displays were often condemned as “psychological warfare” by the North Korean regime and as an attempt to spread Christianity into the country. Plans to erect the lights this year were scrapped however because local residents near the border fear North Korea may respond with artillery if the decorations go up.

North Korean Christians will be Praying for American Church this Sunday

Friday, November 9th, 2012

According to this report some underground churches in North Korea will be taking advantage of the upcoming international day of prayer for the persecuted to pray for the church in America. At least one North Korean church member reported that the church in the U.S. needs prayer because American Christians “put so much faith in their prosperity and political freedoms that they don’t know what it’s like to have to fully depend on God.”

New Book Provides Insight into Plight of North Korean Christians

Monday, November 5th, 2012

With so little information coming from the totalitarian state of North Korea, it is rare that Christians in the West are able to discover the extreme challenges faced by their brothers and sisters in the “Hermit” Kingdom who practice their faith in secret. A new book takes a look at the lives of one of those Christian families.

Situation Remains Bleak for Christians in North Korea

Sunday, October 28th, 2012

The oppression of Christians in North Korea has not changed under the country’s new dictator Kim Jong-Un. “Christian believers and three generations of their family can still go to prison for life just for owning a Bible,” Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports. “The regime reportedly still has up to 70,000 Christians locked away in virtual concentration camps.”

  • Kids

    Care for orphans and hurting children

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  • Families

    Support wives and children of imprisoned or martyed pastors

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  • Pastors

    Spread the gospel by supporting underground pastors

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  • Women

    Save women from abduction and sexual exploitation

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  • Communities

    Help rebuild communities devastated by persecution

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Other Projects

other projects

ICC is constantly monitoring the state of Christian persecution in countries around the world and looking for ways that we can act as bridge between our supporters and the persecuted church. Beyond the projects you see above, we are working in many other areas to provide practical assistance to our brothers and sisters in Christ. View our other projects page to understand more of our work and keep up to date on our current projects.