N. Korea sentences American Missionary to 15 years
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA (Worthy News)– North Korea has sentenced an imprisoned American tour operator to 15 years hard labor for attempting to topple the Kim regime as part of a Christian missionary plan that began in 2006, according to Gawker.
A report by the Korean Central News Agency identified Kenneth Bae of Nation Tours as the leader of “Operation Jericho,” according to a translation by NKnews.
Although Christianity is strictly banned in North Korea, a community of foreign evangelicals is allowed to operate aid organizations from within the country, but they’re prohibited from distributing Bibles or publicly praying.
However, the more militant Voice of the Martyrs evangelizes by sending balloons with religious materials and radio broadcasts of Bible passages across the 38th Parallel.
“A new religion coming in is not just a religion,” Todd Nettleton, the director of media development for VoM, told Gawker. “It literally undermines the very foundation of the government. North Koreans who accept Christ aren’t just accepting a religion; they’re committing a treasonous act.”