North Korea

Key Facts:

Leader:
Kim Jong-il
Population:
23.8 million (2% Christian)
Majority Religion:
Atheism/traditional beliefs
Type of Government:
Communist dictatorship

For the sixth year running this is the most difficult country in the world in which to be a Christian. The government isolates the population from the wider world. Christians face brutal persecution and may be beaten, arrested, tortured, or killed. There are up to 500,000 believers; at least a quarter are imprisoned in prison camps. Some join other North Koreans in taking enormous risks to flee to China, but police in both countries often arrest refugees and those helping them.

Prayer

• Ask God to strengthen His people and surround them with His love and peace.
• Believers long to reopen the churches and worship God in freedom. Pray that God would move in power and set the prisoners free.
• As Open Doors campaigns for China to respect the rights of refugees, pray for a positive response.