Photo courtesy of North Korea Freedom Coalition

Ministry raising awareness of abuses within North Korea

North Korea is openly defying the international community and threatening global security. A bill introduced in Congress this week puts nuclear issues on par with human rights abuses, reports MNN.

The bill, drawn up by Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), calls for strong sanction against North Korea and for a halt to all non-humanitarian assistance to the regime. In the meantime, the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs will mull over the North Korea Sanctions and Diplomatic Nonrecognition Act of 2009.

Lindsay Vessey, advocacy manager with Open Doors, says sadly, the bill has little bi-partisan support. Christians can effect policy changes. However, members of Congress have a lot on their plate. "They can't be experts in everything," she explains. She's encouraging believers to get informed about what's happening and to call their congressional representatives to urge them forward on such issues.

However, Vessey said at a rally this week, "I think that North Korea 'human rights issues' just really aren't on the radar screen of most American Christians." Attendees were mainly North Korean Americans, some politicians and some of the refugees.

Lack of awareness is a major obstacle to forward motion in advocacy for North Korea. That's why there is North Korea Freedom Week. It's an annual event to speak out about the situation and to help people grasp the plight facing many believers.

The North Korea Freedom Coalition, sponsoring the week's events, currently has over 60 public member organizations and individual members representing millions of American, South and North Korean, and Japanese citizens as well as other nations.

The Coalition also has private members that provide humanitarian relief inside North Korea and members in China and other nations that feed, shelter, and rescue North Korean refugees.

Right now, an estimated 60,000 Christians are being persecuted in North Korean prison camps. Eyewitness testimonies have confirmed that various means of torture are being carried out on a regular basis. There are reports of shovel beatings, box confinement and forced abortions. Many believers are victims of cold-blooded executions.

A recent field report from Open Doors revealed a warlike buildup by the government. Officials have ordered citizens to gather 15 days worth of war provisions. Even young students are being forced to transport ammunition boxes.

Vessey goes on to say that questions over dictator Kim Jong-Il's health could press believers further underground. "In times of uncertainty, often a country's government in a totalitarian state will try even harder to control their people. One of the effects of that is a crackdown on Christians. So, there are more frequent searches and a more concerted effort to find out who Christians are and to arrest them."

North Korea is also considered the country with the most severe Christian persecution in the world, according to the Open Doors World Watch List, compiled annually. This year marked the seventh straight time that North Korea has topped the list.

SALE! 40% OFF! How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week

TAGS: North Korea Open Doors persecution North Korea Freedom Week Open Doors World Watch List

[04/30/2009]

Print Version