North Korean reality isn't funny for Christians

Christians in North Korea face unimaginable pressure in every sphere of life. Forced to meet only in secret, they dare not share their faith even with their families. Anyone discovered engaging in secret religious activity may be subject to arrest, disappearance, torture and even public execution. And, to heap cruelty on top of cruelty, the families of Christians — even if they are not believers themselves — are often subjected to persecution as well.

The very nature of the Kim regime — its suppression of outside ideas, control over its people and restriction of outside visitors — is what keeps the West from gaining a clear picture of North Korean oppression and persecution. That’s the reason that North Korea isn’t leading the nightly news or making headlines every day. But though there is no video footage to live stream from the work camps, the persecution of Christians that happens every day in North Korea is very real.

You might think that, after more than 60 years of active suppression of religion and persecution of believers, Christianity would be disappearing in North Korea. You would be wrong. Christianity continues to grow, as North Korean Christians risk their lives to share the message of Jesus Christ. Their faith serves as an inspiration to many Western Christians who enjoy freedoms their North Korean counterparts have never known — freedom to worship openly, freedom to read the Bible publicly and freedom to celebrate Christmas and other faith-filled holidays.