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North Korea: 70,000 Christians 'Locked in Concentration Camps'

  • Religion Today Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Published Aug 09, 2012

Though sources confirm North Korea has eased or lifted a number of restrictions -- such as bans on Western foods -- since Kim Jong Un succeeded his father, Kim Jong Il, there is no evidence of any improvement in the condition of the persecuted church there, WND.com reports. "We have not heard any reports of improvement for Christians in the country and have no reason to believe anything has changed," said Ryan Morgan, an analyst with International Christian Concern Asia. "The regime still has up to 70,000 Christians locked away in virtual concentration camps." Morgan added that a Christian believer and three generations of his or her family can still go to prison for life just for owning a Bible. "We're hoping and praying this changes soon, but we haven't seen any sign of it yet," he said. Believers in North Korea continue to tread softly because of the nation's history of persecution as well as the message from the new dictator that "he is in control" and "will do anything to keep hold of power," according to an Open Doors USA source. Open Doors lists North Korea No. 1 on its list of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world.