{"id":9417,"date":"2024-01-07T12:15:13","date_gmt":"2024-01-07T11:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northkoreainfo.com\/?p=9417"},"modified":"2024-01-07T12:15:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T11:15:13","slug":"is-christianity-legal-in-north-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northkoreainfo.com\/is-christianity-legal-in-north-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Christianity Legal In North Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background of Christianity in North Korea<\/h2>\n

The history of Christianity in North Korea is multifaceted and complex. Christianity had been brought to Korea by Jesuit missionaries in the late 19th century. It had a degree of success and even established a presence in Pyongyang – the capital. This presence and activity ceased in 1925 when the Korean Communist Party was established and the religion of North Korea was declared to be atheistic. Christianity was subsequently banned, and North Korea adopted a purely Socialist system. This system deeply embeds the ideology and ideas of communism, and religion, in particular Christianity, has been harshly suppressed. Reports have even suggested that the government has imposed the death penalty for possession and distribution of Christian material.<\/p>\n

Today, practicing any religion, even in the confinement of someone’s home, is strictly forbidden, and even participating in public rituals and religious gatherings has been strictly regulated by the government. In addition, the regime has launched a system of loyalty to the leader in exchange for “divine protection”. Since the persecution of Christians has increased significantly since the 1980s when it was declared an act of treason. It is in this context that Christianity is both illegal and heavily persecuted in North Korea.<\/p>\n

The Negative Impact of its Illegality<\/h2>\n

The illegal status of Christianity has had a major impact on the North Korean population. It has led to a total ban on Christian activities in public places, as well as a ban on any form of contact with Christians outside of North Korea. Furthermore, the regime has actively paved the way for the invasion of private homes and the capture of any individuals seen as promoting Christianity. This has made it extremely difficult for Christians within the country to practice their faith and many have resorted to practicing their religion in secret, which comes with considerable risks.<\/p>\n

The illegality and repression of Christianity has had a severe impact on those who practice it. It has been used as a tool of terror and control, and reports have revealed that those arrested or persecuted on account of their faith have been arbitrarily detained and subjected to torture, forced labor, and other forms of mistreatment. This has not only caused physical and psychological suffering, but it has also had economic repercussions, as the livelihoods of many Christian families have been affected by their religion.<\/p>\n

The International Response<\/h2>\n