In another example of the persecution Christians face every day, two men were killed because of their faith in North Korea.
According to a story posted on the Religion Today web site, Open Doors, an organization serving persecuted Christians around the world, reported last week that one of the Christians was shot and killed on his way to a Bible training session in China, while the other died in one of North Korea’s labor camps.
“It looks like the terror against Christians continues there even under the new leadership (of Kim Jong-Un),” Open Doors Media Director Jerry Dykstra said. “Spies are even being sent into China to expose Christian networks. Christians are being watched even more, and they don’t know who they can trust. We’re finding more Christians are being accosted.”
Open Doors confirmed both deaths through several sources, which were not divulged for security purposes.
In the latest release of its World Watch List noting the top 50 countries for persecution of Christians, reported this month in The Layman Online, Open Doors once again had North Korea ranked No. 1, a dubious distinction it has held for the last 11 years.
Interrogation, arrest and even death await Christians exhibiting their faith in more than 60 countries around the globe, much like it did for members of the first-century church.
In his letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:12-13, NIV)
Apparently, that was the case for the two men in North Korea, where merely possessing a Bible can be reason enough for a Christian to be executed or sent to a prison camp along with three generations of his/her family.
The Open Doors report indicated that one of its workers befriended one of the Christians who was shot while he tried to find work in China. Showing an interest in the Christian faith, he studied the Bible and became a believer before deciding to return to North Korea where he was shot and killed.
“The Bible there is precious, but it can be very dangerous if you are caught with it,” Dykstra said.
The second man also studied the Bible in China and chose to return to North Korea after becoming a Christian. North Korean authorities found out about his secret faith, and he was imprisoned, forced to do hard labor with little food. He died in the labor camp.
Some 50,000 to 70,000 Christians live, work and die in the labor camps.
A representative of Open Doors said, “We know Christians die for their faith almost every day in North Korea, but it is still hard to deal with.”
Despite the two deaths, Open Doors remains committed to assisting persecuted Christians around the world.
“Persecution, obviously, is still prevalent,” Dykstra told The Layman in an interview earlier this month. “We believe all doors are still open, and we encourage Christians, wherever they are, to remain true to their faith.”