SANTA ANA, Calif. (Dec. 21, 2011) – Like the rest of the world, North Korean defectors were shocked to learn that Kim Jong-Il had passed away over the weekend.
Though few are mourning his death, it is hard for many to believe that the man they were forced to worship as a god and oversaw the killing and imprisonment of thousands of Christians is gone. Still, Christian defectors watched the news with mixed feelings. It is painful for some of them to see the same mass hysteria and mourning as in 1994 when Kim Jong-Il’s father Kim Il-Sung died.
“I remember standing in front of his (Kim Il-Sung) statue and feeling nothing,” said one refugee. “But we had to cry or we would be punished. I brought a needle and punched it in my skin really hard, just so I would cry. I think that most of the people who weep for Kim Jong-Il in public are acting.”
Another defector explains how she heard the news. “Someone called me and told me to turn on the television; Kim Jong-Il had died! I could not believe it. I felt strange. I always expected I would be happy when he died. As a Christian I was supposed to love my enemies, but I often found myself wishing that Kim Jong-Il would die. It was something I always struggled with.”
She received many messages and telephone calls from other defectors. One said, “’Soon the country will be unified; let us pray!’ Another was afraid that a war would break out. And a third friend said he wished Kim Jong-Il would have died like the Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.
“I am just happy I do not have to stand in line to cry like a madman,” she continued. “Some just act like they are sad, but others are genuinely ignorant. I was ignorant about the Kims once, too. Still, most refugees are cheering; they tell me I should prepare myself for the reunification of North and South Korea. But I cannot. Just because the ‘absolute power’ has collapsed, it does not mean the whole building will tumble. Those who have already tasted the power will not easily give up what they have. They will fight. I hope a new and uncorrupt leader will arise. God has not forgotten the prayers of devoted Christians in and outside of North Korea. One day Korea will be one again and I hope we are ready when that happens.”
A third defector stated: “I don’t believe this! Is it really true that Kim Jong-Il has passed away? I am not sad. How can I be sad for the things he has done to me and my family? We were separated and I had to live on the streets as a child. I am worried about the future though. There may be a power struggle. Anything can happen.”
Open Doors urges Christians to pray for North Korea and the estimated 400,000 Christians there during this time of uncertainty. For more information on persecution in North Korea, go to the Open Doors USA website www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
(For more information or to set up an interview with Open Doors’ Paul Estabrooks, author of the book “Escape from North Korea,” contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org.)