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Country Profile: NORTH KOREA
The first position of the World Watch List in 2010 is again reserved for North Korea, the country where every religious activity is recognized as an insurrection to the North Korean socialist principles.
The situation for Christians is extremely harsh at this moment, even though the North Korean regime is slowly and steadily losing her iron control on North Korean society, and Kim Jong Il’s physical health worsened after his stroke.
Through mobilizing every resource of power, North Korea is desperately trying to control society in order to eradicate Christian activities. By means of a 150 days and a 100 days combat campaign, the North Korean government has and is trying very hard to demolish the street market system.
Furthermore, during North Korea’s strict searches considerable numbers of Christian believers have been exposed. During the mentioned campaigns, the North Korean regime especially targeted secret Christians all over North Korea to arrest and kill them.
They have used various horrible ways of torture against arrested Christians. Christians were sometimes used as a means of testing biological or chemical weapons. In spite of these inhuman circumstances, Christianity is growing and the chances to hear the Gospel are growing especially for those who live in cities nearby China. 
People:
The approx. 25 million North Koreans are made up of 99% Korean and 1% Chinese. Population is largely in the western lowland plains. About 60% of the people live in the cities. People live a life of repression and fear. Freedom of movement, assembly, and association are strictly controlled.
Politics:
Kim Jung Il, the “Dear Leader” is head of the country. The government indoctrinates and fosters its ideology through education and culture. Kim Il Sung the “Great Leader” has been exalted and revered as a god to be followed with obedience. The newspapers, radio and TV are under control of govt. run Korean Central News Agency. The dominant political party and source of power is the Korean Workers Party.
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Religion:
About 70% of the people are non-religious. Religious freedom is guaranteed in the constitution, but in reality religious activity is discouraged. The Word of God is banned in North Korea. Majority of the people have never heard the Word of God, seen a church, or heard about Jesus Christ. Many Christians are in prison camps because of the faith in Jesus Christ. The people have been taught that Christians are “crazy people”.
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Economy:
Most soil lacks organic material and is relatively infertile. About 38% of the people engaged in agriculture. There are many conifer forests in the mountain regions. NK has major reserves of coal, iron ore, tungsten, and graphite. All industry is nationalized and the agriculture is collectivized. NK has doctrine of self tolerance and has downgraded role of foreign trade. Principle crops are rice, corn, potatoes, and other vegetables.
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Notables:
This is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world. North Korea is one of the richer nations in terms of mineral resources. Once there were many Christians and Jews – called the Jerusalem of the East. A food crises hit in 1996 and is still going today. Estimated 2 to 3 million people have died.
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The Three Year North Korea Prayer Campaign - Join with tens of thousands of believers around the world who are committed to praying for the people of North Korea, that God would tear down the walls of oppression.
Read more about life in North Korea in Escape From North Korea.
Prayer Points:
- Salvation of Kim Jung Il and his leadership team
- Effective prayer ministry
- Safe travel for those fleeing the country
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![NorthKorea_flag[1]](UserFiles/Image/Flags/NorthKorea_flag[1].gif "NorthKorea_flag[1]")
