Christians Fear More Restrictions In South and North Korea

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

SEOUL (Worthy News) – Concerns remained Wednesday about likely more restrictions on groups trying to spread the Gospel in North Korea and support Christians there, after the arrest of six Americans in South Korea.

The six U.S. citizens were reportedly taken into police custody Friday after attempting to send 1,600 bottles filled with Bibles, USB data storage devices for computers, money, and rice by sea to North Korea.

They were detained on South Korea’s front-line Gwanghwa Island before throwing the bottles into the sea and floating them toward North Korean shores on the tides, according to local police.

Officials said the Americans are being investigated for allegations that they “violated the law” in managing safety and disasters.

Gwanghwa police explained that they hadn’t found what was on the USB sticks. The U.S. Embassy in South Korea had no immediate public comment.

For years, activists have sought to float plastic bottles or fly balloons across the border carrying Bibles as well as anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets and USB devices with South Korean dramas and South Korean-style K-pop songs.

The latest incident comes as South Korea’s new liberal government seeks to ease friction with Pyongyang and restart long-dormant talks, observers said.

VIOLATING RULES

Though well-meaning, the actions of the Americans “violated South Korean ordinances banning balloon and sea-based launches to the North,” ordinances aimed at reducing tensions, stressed Christians working in the region.

They added that the six detained Americans acted without consulting local organizations “experienced in such work.”

Eric Foley, who represents Christian advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs Korea (VOMK) explained that “One of the challenges that we see with people, groups doing work [trying to help those] inside North Korea is that they often don’t think about the Christians that are inside North Korea, to begin with.”

He also told broadcaster Mission Network News (MNN), adding that, “There are an estimated 30,000 North Koreans in prison for their faith” in Christ.

VOMK urged “global intercession” [prayers] for those suffering under North Korea’s hardline government and for South Korea as a nation both” before God and, likely, “before the government.”

Additionally, “Listen to the people who are in a country. Listen to how they tackle the problem, how they ask for partnership, how they believe that those things can best be done,” VOMK stressed.

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