14 January 2025

Smuggling God’s love to North Korean women

Your prayers and support make it possible for Open Doors fieldworkers like Ha-Joon to reach out and minister to North Korean refugees, many of whom have been trafficked into forced marriages.


The women come together in an Open Doors safehouse to encourage each other and share God’s Word

It must be incredibly disorientating to find yourself alone in a foreign country, separated from loved ones, and then suddenly sold into marriage to someone you don’t know and whose language you don’t understand. How do you re-orient yourself? 

This is the reality for many women who fall victim to people smugglers as they escape across the North Korean border. It’s a desperate situation to be in – but thanks to your prayers and gifts, some of these women find themselves at an Open Doors safehouse, where they are welcomed, and given practical aid and pastoral care. They are also introduced to Jesus, who re-orients them. He becomes their refuge. Thanks to you, these women know that they are no longer alone. 

Ha-Joon* is an Open Doors fieldworker who meets with these women for food, prayer and fellowship. The journey to the safehouse is fraught with danger, as she doesn’t know if she’s being watched.  

“We thank you for your love, care and support”

Ha-Joon

The risks of meeting together  

At first, some of the North Korean women are distrustful. But as they come together, they start to share their stories. “We came here for the food,” one woman jokes. “We have to eat!” Another woman shares that she has lost her sister, who had also escaped North Korea. But she hasn’t heard from her and has no idea what’s happened to her.   

Amidst the sadness, there’s room for joy too – and a palpable sense of God’s presence. “We worshipped together, which was really special,” Ha-Joon says. There was singing and dancing, and one woman had even memorised 50 Bible verses which she recited for the group.   

Then suddenly, a woman’s face appeared at the window, and everyone went quiet. Who was she? Would she report them to the secret police? “We all stopped breathing for a moment,” Ha-Joon says. “The owner of the place immediately went outside to talk to the woman. I don’t know what she said to her, but after she came back, she said everything was alright and we could continue with our programme. 

“This ministry is only possible thanks to the prayers and generous support of our donors,” adds Ha-Joon. “On behalf of the North Korean women and our local field workers, we thank you for your love, care and support.”  

*Name changed for security reasons 


Please pray
  • For field workers like Ha-Joon, who risk their lives to care for North Korean refugee women
  • That the Lord will continue to protect, heal and bless these women as they grow in the love of Christ
  • For protection for Open Doors safehouses outside of North Korea, and all who find shelter there.
Please give
 

Your gift will go to believers from North Korea and other countries in the World Watch List top 10.

  • Every £20 could get Bibles to two adults in a country where God’s Word is not easy to access.
  • Every £38 could help provide six months of safe housing and relief aid to a family of North Korean refugees who have fled extreme persecution.
  • Every £45 could help give persecution survival and evangelism training to a Christian who has fled extreme persecution.

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Your support helps persecuted Christians continue to courageously follow Jesus. Together, we can reach those where persecution hits hardest.