 | This article is missing information about the history of the persecution of Christians in the country, including the disappearance of Francis Hong Yong-ho and persecutions during the Korean War. (July 2022) |
| Persecution of Christians in North Korea | |
|---|---|
| Location |  North Korea |
| Date | 1949–present |
| Victims | 50,000 to 70,000 Christians interned in prison camps[1][2] |
| Perpetrator | Government of North Korea |
| Part of a series on |
| Human rights in North Korea |
|---|
 |
The persecution of Christians in North Korea is an ongoing and systematic human rights violation in North Korea.[3][4][5][6][7][8] According to multiple resolutions which have been passed by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the North Korean government considers religious activities political crimes,[9] because they could challenge the personality cult of Kim Il Sung and his family.[10][11][12] The Workers' Party of Korea also considers religion a tool of American imperialism and the North Korean state uses this argument to justify its activities.[3]
In 2002, it was estimated that there were 12,000 Protestants,[13] and 800 Catholics in North Korea, but South Korean and international church-related groups gave considerably higher estimates, such as 406,000 Christians.[14][15][16]
- ^ "Death of Kim Jong-Il may not change much for North Korean Christians". Open Doors UK, December 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ "Christians in North Korea face torture, execution by firing squad: USCIRF report". The Christian Post. 5 September 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
- ^ a b Casper, Jayson (21 December 2020). "117 Witnesses Detail North Korea's Persecution of Christians". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ Benedict Rogers (22 July 2021). "The World Must Not Forgot North Korea's Crimes Against Humanity". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ Harriet Sherwood (16 January 2019). "One in three Christians face persecution in Asia, report finds". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ William J. Cadigan (17 January 2015). "Christian persecution reached record high in 2015, report says". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ Harriet Sherwood (27 July 2015). "Dying for Christianity: millions at risk amid rise in persecution across the globe". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 February 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ Andre Vornic (24 July 2009). "North Korea 'executes Christians'". BBC. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
- ^ "North Korea: Harsher Policies against Border-Crossers". Human Rights Watch, March 5, 2007. 5 March 2007. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ "N. Korea escalates 'cult of Kim' to counter West's influence". The Christian Science Monitor, January 3, 2007. 3 January 2007. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
- ^ "Eyewitness: Christianity in North Korea". BBC. 2002-01-06. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
- ^ "North Korea". www.persecution.com. Retrieved 2022-01-28.
- ^ Caroline Gluck (January 6, 2002). "Eyewitness: Christianity in North Korea". BBC. Archived from the original on December 9, 2003. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
- ^ Alton, 2013. p. 79. As of 2005 the agency "Religious Intelligence UK" estimated 3,846,000 believers of Korean shamanism, 3,245,000 Chondoists, 1,082,888 Buddhists, 406,000 Christians, and the rest non-believers.
- ^ Chryssides, Geaves. 2007. p. 110
- ^ Association of Religion Data Archives: North Korea: Religious Adherents, 2010 Archived 2018-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. Data from the World Christian Database.