News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

North-Korean-leader-Kim-Jong-Un-main_article_image.jpg
Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP
World News

CSW: religious violations in North Korea "worst abuses in the world"

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) says the country can no longer operate unchecked and reguarly commits some of the "worst abuses in the world."

In its new report on the closed nation it says "freedom of religion of belief is largely non-existent."

It is pushing the international community to act and for the United Nations (UN) to implement change.

Ben Rogers, East Asia team leader at Christian Solidarity Worldwide, told Premier why it is so dangerous to be a believer in the closed nation.

PA

He said: "People are required to show total loyalty to the Kim [the family in power in North Korea] dynasty, any hint of a belief that deviates from absolute denotation to the Kim family is very severely repressed and so obviously in particular for Christians it is extremely dangerous to be a Christian in North Korea today."

The Kim family have been in power since the 1950's and current leader Kim Jong-Un took over power from his father in December 2011.

Ben Rogers said that those found worshiping another leader will be punished alongside their families who can pay for their crimes for years: "The policy of guilt by association is punishment of up to three generations - a person who's a Christian or indeed any other person who's committed, in the eyes of a regime, a political crime - not only do they go to the prison camp but their relatives up to three generations."

CSW has said that it wants to push the international community to urge North Korea to change the laws over freedom of religion.

In North Korea's constitution religion is described as a 'foreign intervention', but CSW wants the country to guarantee the freedom of religion promised by the UN.

Ben Rogers told Premier his prayer for the country: "We pray that you would liberate North Korea and that through the prayers of many, through the protest and advocacy of many, the people of North Korea would know that the world has not forgotten about them."

Listen to Premier's Rick Easter speak to Ben Rogers, Kiri Kankhwende, Mervyn Thomas and Stuart Windsor here:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate