Will prisoners be released in North Korea?

The punishments facing people in North Korea are notoriously horrific, with Christians among those brutally targeted. But there is cautious hope that some prisoners might be released. What has brought this about and which laws could come under scrutiny? Please note that you might find some of the content below distressing.

In a surprising move, North Korea has launched an internal investigation into its own harsh punishments, raising fragile hope that some prisoners could be released.

Whilst the government has not explained its motives, observers believe it could be aimed at appeasing public anger and improve its image prior to the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party on 10 October.

“The investigation may be limited,” says Simon Lee*, Open Doors’ coordinator for North Korea ministries. “It may be a political gesture. But even so, if it results in just a few lives being spared or a few families being reunited, it’s worth praying for.”

Which laws demand harsh punishment?

The harsh punishments meted out to North Koreans, including believers, tend to centre around three laws.

The first is the Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Act, which punishes those found consuming, spreading or possessing foreign media, including Christian books, South Korean dramas, or Western films. The punishment is a minimum of five years in a labour camp or even execution. In 2022, a young man was reportedly executed for sharing South Korean music and movies.

The second law is the Youth Education Guarantee Act, and this teaches North Korean children that religious beliefs, especially Christianity, are dangerous and must be reported. If a child even hears about Christianity and fails to report it, their entire family could face punishment. In some cases, children have unknowingly turned in their Christian parents to authorities, leading to their arrests.

The third one is the Pyongyang Culture and Language Protection Act. This law seeks to erase foreign influences, particularly South Korean culture, language and ideas. It strengthens the idea that Christianity is a foreign threat that must be eradicated.

Punished for owning handwritten piece of Bible

Christians face horrific consequences if their faith is discovered. Some have been executed, sometimes in front of a large crowd as a warning to others. Many are sent to labour camps, where they experience starvation, forced labour and abuse. Many do not survive. Punishment can also involve torture in an attempt to get Christians to reveal the names of other believers. Some are beaten until they falsely confess to crimes they didn’t commit.

One defector recounted how her father was interrogated daily, denied food and forced to kneel on glass shards for owning a handwritten copy of John’s Gospel. Eventually, he died from his injuries. In another incident, a young Christian woman was arrested because a neighbour reported seeing her praying. She was taken for questioning, beaten and sent to a re-education camp. Her family was forced to watch as police ransacked their home for hidden Christian materials.

Many flee North Korea in search of a better life – a move that carries huge dangers of its own. Neighbouring country China does not recognise them as refugees and often repatriates them back to North Korea, where they face extreme punishment – especially if they have had contact with Christians or churches.

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The 2024 North Korean Human Rights Report by the Ministry of Unification confirmed that North Korea executed two defectors who were caught helping others flee. Another survivor testified that on her forced return, authorities interrogated her for weeks, demanding to know if she had met Christian missionaries in China. When she refused to answer, she was sent to a labour camp for ten years.

How can you help North Korean Christians?

“Firstly, pray for them,” asks Simon. “Many underground believers say their greatest request is not to escape from persecution but faithfulness under persecution. Pray for their strength, protection, and that they would continue to be a light in darkness.

“Second, support workers who help North Korean Christians. Groups that provide Bibles, food, and secret discipleship programmes make a huge difference in the lives of believers.

“Another thing you can do is raise awareness. Many people don’t know about the horrors that Christians face in North Korea. Share their stories with your church, Bible study or online community.

“Lastly, if possible, advocate for their freedom. Governments and international organisations can put pressure on North Korea to improve human rights. Contacting lawmakers can help.”

A growing underground church

Despite extreme danger, God is very much still on the move in what’s the most dangerous country for someone to follow Jesus.

“The underground church in North Korea is growing,” says Simon. “Believers meet in secret, whisper their prayers, and share the gospel in ways that cannot be detected. A former prisoner who became a Christian while in a North Korean labour camp said, ‘Even in darkness, God finds us. Even in suffering, He is with us.’”

One way God is with our North Korean family is through an Open Doors radio ministry that broadcasts programmes into North Korea from outside the country.

“You allow us to hear God’s voice,” says a believer. “We’re thirsting for the Holy Spirit, and you quench our thirst.” Another says, “I wish that through your broadcast, the kingdom of God expands throughout the entire Korean peninsula, bearing abundant fruit in the ministry. Please be assured that we share what we learn with our friends and family, even if they are not believers.”

“The believers will not share the full Bible stories,” explains Simon. “They change them, so that it seems like they are sharing old tales rather than quote from a forbidden book. This is an effective method to evangelise in secret.”

Thank you for continuing to stand with our North Korean family. It means so much to them and the impact is immeasurable.

*Name changed for security reasons