A Former North Korean Prison Guard Says That Christian Prisoners Are “Treated More Harshly Than Are
By Dan Wooding
GARDEN GROVE, CA (ANS) — A former North Korean prison guard has revealed that Christian prisoners are “treated more harshly than are other prisoners” and regarded by authorities as “insane.” This was stated in the latest persecution updates from the World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF.)
According to WEF’s most recent Religious Liberty Commission report, the former North Korean prison guard made the claim in testimony before the US Congress. The reports also says that he recounted an instance in which a woman was kicked repeatedly and left with her injuries unattended for days because a guard overheard her praying for a child who was being beaten.
Paul Scotchmer of the WEF Theological Commission, reports that North Korea’s underground church recites five principles, along with the Lord’s Prayer. The special place of suffering in the spiritual life of this church is striking.
The principles are:
1. Our persecution and suffering are our joy and honor.
2. We want to accept ridicule, scorn and disadvantages with joy in Jesus’ name.
3. As Christians, we want to wipe others’ tears away and comfort the suffering.
4. We want to be ready to risk our life because of our love for our neighbor, so that they also become Christians.
5. We want to live our lives according to the standards set in God’s Word.
The WEF report goes on to say, “In this closed country the full measure of suffering is unknown. The US State Department states ‘numerous, unconfirmed reports that members of underground churches have been beaten, arrested, or killed because of their religious beliefs, with 400 Christians executed in 1999.'”
It is estimated that the Christian population of 500,000 (2001 edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia) is more than three times that of 1970 and that one of every five Christians is incarcerated in North Korea.
For more information on North Korea visit www.nkhumanrights.or.kr.
A spokesman for WEF then asked for urgent prayer for North Korea’s Christians. “Pray for the spiritual and physical safety of North Korean Christians, many have lost their lives simply for owning a Bible, praying with Christian friends, or affirming their faith in the presence of other Koreans,” said the spokesman.
IDOP DATE CHANGE
WEF also announced that due to date conflicts in a number of countries, including the United States (Veteran’s Day), the official date of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church will be November 4, 2001.
“God will honor prayers on behalf of the suffering church on any date!” said the WEF spokesman.