North Korea has garnered a notorious reputation as the world’s most oppressive country for Christians, where believers face severe persecution for their faith in Jesus and their devotion to the Bible. The “2022 Report on International Religious Freedom” published by the U.S. Department of State emphasizes the gravity of these circumstances, shedding light on the harrowing experiences routinely endured by North Koreans. Among the numerous accounts of oppression, one incident, in particular, reflects the horrific situation in North Korea, where a 2-year-old was sentenced to life in a prison camp because the child’s family was in possession of a copy of the Bible.
Faithwire reports:
North Korea has long been known to be the most repressive place in the world for Christians, with believers facing intense persecution for simply revering Jesus and the Bible.
The U.S. Department of State’s “2022 Report on International Religious Freedom” underscores the intensity of these dynamics, highlighting the horrors North Koreans routinely face.
The extensive report details accounts of persecution, noting a separate 2021 release from non-profit Korea Future documenting how North Koreans who engage in religious practices face “arrest, detention, forced labor, torture, denial of fair trial, deportation, denial of right to life, and sexual violence.”
But one story in particular — about a 2-year-old being sentenced to a prison camp for life — stands out for its unique brand of ghastliness. As a result, it has understandably been making headlines.
“One case involved the 2009 arrest of a family based on their religious practices and possession of a Bible,” the report read. “The entire family, including a two-year-old child, were given life sentences in political prison camps.”
This report exposes the horrific level North Korean officials will take Christian persecution, punishing even the most innocent among believers for simply embracing Scripture.
It’s estimated that between 50,000 to 70,000 Christians are imprisoned in North Korea due to their Christian faith, with non-profit persecution watchdog Open Doors noting North Korean officials view Christians as the “most dangerous political class of people.”
Read the full article here.
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