pressure North Korea following its nuclear test, as Christians rushed to offer prayer as a solution for the crisis.
"The current crisis shows that we face a serious spiritual battle," said Netherlands based Open Doors, an international group helping persecuted Christians in countries such as Communist-run North Korea.
North Korea’s October 9 nuclear test underscored concerns among Christian observers that the apparently embattled North Korean leader Kim Jong Il wants to pressure the United States and its allies to ease sanctions and back up his regime, despite international concern over his country’s human rights record.
He reportedly told North Korean scientist Kim Dae-Ho, who fled to the West, that his country only can "win against South Korea after a nuclear war." Open Doors said that last week’s nuclear test "could indicate that Kim Jong Il has been pushed into a corner…"
200,000 IMPRISONED
Yet despite Western pressure to release them, Christian officials say there are still at least 200,000 people imprisoned in North Korea’s notorious prison camps, in many cases for their faith in Christ or opposition to the Communist government.
"Torture, execution, hunger and illnesses are a daily phenomena in these camps. The 200,000 prisoners in labor camps provide up to 40 percent of North Korea’s Gross Domestic Product," Open Doors said in a statement to BosNewsLife.
"Between 50,000 and 70,000 people in these labor camps are Christians. Others were found guilty of a ‘major crime’ such as throwing a news paper with a picture of Kim Jong-Il in the garbage can," it added.
SHARP DIVISIONS
Sharp divisions have arisen over enforcing a United Nations Security Council resolution to punish North Korea for its nuclear test. Although China voted for the penalties adopted unanimously Saturday, October 14, it is refusing cargo inspections to prevent trafficking of banned weapons and technology.
"I’m quite certain that China is going to live up to its responsibilities," said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Sunday, October 15, adding she was willing to have "conversations" during her trip to the region on how best to enforce the resolution.
At Open Doors’ headquarters in the Dutch town of Ermelo however, the group said it believes Christians should more than ever pray for North Korea, which it claims is the real solution for the battle over North Korea’s future. “Only God knows how we can overcome this crisis," Open Doors Spokesman Jeno Sebok told BosNewsLife,
CIVILIANS VICTIMS
"[North Korean] civilians can become victims of this crisis," said Open Doors, adding that it sent "extra prayer points’ to about 2,500 participants in a round-the-clock prayer chain for the Asian nation. The people of North Korea need our prayers."
In the past international sanctions, including the postponement of humanitarian aid, especially impacted the North Korean population, Open Doors recalled. Between 1994 and 2000 an estimated two million North Koreans of hunger, said Open Doors, which smuggles aid into the country. North Korean officials have denied reports of massive starvation.
While the North Korean people suffer of starvation, the country’s leader "Kim Jong-Il and his generals and mort important party supporters are enjoying extensive diners and luxurious presents," added Open Doors, which has close knowledge of the situation within North Korea.
SEVERAL PALACES
Kim Hong-Il also has at least eight huge palaces "with golf courses, cinemas, shooting range facilities, horse stables, hunting areas and amusement parks," the group claimed.
“That’s why we have to pray that He will give the world leaders wisdom so that there will be also good things coming from this crisis," said Open Doors’ Sebok. "China for instance has been humiliated by the nuclear test. Perhaps China will be less harsh towards North Korean refugees, who otherwise are send back and after days or weeks of torture end up in prison camps."
He said it was important for his supporters to "pray especially for the North Korean people." (With reports from Washington and the Korean region).
