"Week of Prayer for Freedom" in North Korea

Christian missionary in prison, 

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - A Christian missionary, an American citizen, will be put on trial in North Korea for "crimes against the nation": this is Jun Young-Su, a lay missionary of the Church of Orange County, California (USA). According to reports from the regime's official news agency, the missionary was travelling in the Asian country in the role of entrepreneur and accomplished religious activities and not authorized proselytism . The U.S. State Department has requested his release for humanitarian reasons. His case recalls that of another American missionary, Robert Park, who went to North Korea during Christmas 2009 to draw world attention on human rights, abuses and religious freedom in the country, he was arrested and then expelled.
To express solidarity and spiritual closeness to the missionary, Christians will mobilize for the "Week of Prayer for Freedom in North Korea," which will be held worldwide from April 24 to 30 . Launched by the Ong, "Open Doors", which publishes an annual report on religious freedom in the world said in a statement sent to Fides that Christians will unite in prayer because "God is not silent and we can intercede with Him because He looks upon the North Korean people" , 
Meanwhile in recent days in Seoul, a network of religious organizations, "Religious Solidarity for Peace and Reconciliation of Korea, has officially asked the South Korean government to resume humanitarian operations in the north, for the benefit of people who suffer from hunger and malnutrition . More than 600 religious leaders, Buddhists, Christians and other faiths have signed and delivered a petition calling for Seoul to resume as soon as possibile humanitarian channels. According to the leaders, humanitarian work, which has nothing to do with political reasons, provides, however, a useful channel for dialogue and open contact, where it is easier to discuss and resolve, indirectly, issues of diplomacy. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/14/2011)

Religious freedom denied, over 50 thousand Christians in prison camps

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - Human rights trampled and denied freedom of religion, more than 50 thousand Christians in prison camps for their faith, victims of a judicial system based strictly on ideology of the regime: this is the picture of the situation in North Korea, a country, according to the 2011 Report of the Ong "Open Doors", holds the "black shirt" in terms of respect for freedom of conscience and religion in the world.
The serious situation of fundamental rights is confirmed by Marzuki Darusman, the new UN special observer for Human Rights in North Korea. The recent report by Darusman presented at the UN Council for Human Rights in Geneva, explains that the judiciary system lacks independence compared to the regime. Besides the ordinary courts of judicial power, there exists a "parallel justice system" in the country that does not respect any of the procedural guarantees for the accused, which is needed to exercise more control over citizens.
The "parallel justice system" - says the report - is composed of a series of measures and bodies that can judge the behaviour of a person: the "Law on Control of National Security" and the "Judgement Committee of the Companions," a sort of "folk trial" governed by a purely ideological perspective, the "Lead Committee for life in the socialist legality" which carries out inspections at various levels and decides on the different types of punishment for social and economic crimes; the "Security Committee " for the trial of punishing North Korean citizens.
All Koreans or foreigners who fall into the verdicts of these trials, are sent to prison camps where detainees are regularly subjected to torture and cruel and inhuman treatment. The political dissidents and their families, often held for life, suffer hunger and forced labor. Among them are the prisoners of conscience and religion and, according to "Open Doors", there are over 50 thousand Christians. Among the detention centers known there is "Gwanliso" (work camp for prisoners of conscience), the "Gyohwaso" (work camp for prisoners of long-term), the "Jipgyulso" (simple prison), the "Rodongdanryundae "(prison labor).
Freedom of religion in North Korea is totally denied, as well as of conscience, opinion, religion, peaceful association. According to the testimonies of people who escaped from the country, the regime continues an intense anti-religious propaganda, prohibits religious activities and prosecutes those involved in religious activities, including private activities. The regime states that the "Juche", the official ideology of the state, is the only system of thought and belief allowed in North Korea. Despite the difficult situation, it is estimated that the Christians in Korea are currently about 400 thousand (2% of the population) who, in secret, keep in their hearts the burning flame of faith. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/14/2011)

 

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