North Korea has sentenced a two-year-old to life in a prison camp after the toddler’s parents were found with a Bible.
The plight of the child, whose entire family was also jailed, was revealed in the International Religious Freedom Report from the US State Department.
The publication also revealed numerous instances of North Koreans being killed for their Christianity, such as the execution by firing squad of a Christian woman and her grandchild in 2011.
In another case, a member of the ruling party was executed in front of an audience of 3,000 at Hyesan airfield after they were discovered to be in possession of a Bible.
Other believers faced pigeon torture, whereby they were hung with their hands tied behind their backs, without the ability to sit or stand for days on end.
‘It was the most painful of all tortures,’ one victim recalled. ‘It was so painful that I felt it was better to die.’
Others were tortured with sleep deprivation.
One Christian woman in solitary confinement was driven to suicide in 2020 after prison guards would not allow her sleep, according to the report.
Other horrors suffered by Christians include starvation, dehydration, tainted food, beatings, and forced adoption of agonising positions for prolonged periods.
The report – which outlines the discoveries of assorted non-governmental organisations, human rights groups, and the UN – paints a troubling picture of Christian life in North Korea.
Supposedly, North Korea assures its people religious freedom in its constitution – and the regime highlights the churches it has built in Pyongyang as evidence.
But the publication said these churches operate only as ‘showpieces for foreigners’.
It cited the testimony of one defector, who said people could be arrested for hanging out too long outside the churches and listening to music from within, or even routinely driving by them.
Ray Cunningham, from the US state of Illinois, visited Chilgol Protestant Church in Pyongyang during a service.
He said: ‘I came away wondering just how real this is.
‘Are the services regular? The church seems maintained but is it a regular event? In the society you see no evidence of religious activity – except for Buddhism.
‘It feels real but like many things indeed it may be somewhat a show for tourists. In this case it might be a mixture of showmanship and a few elderly Christians in the area.’
He also noted something that was highlighted in the report – no children attend the services.
‘The congregation was made up of older men – all seemingly over 65 – and women over 40,’ he said.
‘What you did not see were children or young working-age people.’
The US State Department’s publication said many North Korean Christians hide their faith from their children.
It cited the finding of one NGO, Open Doors USA, which said: ‘A Christian is never safe.
‘Children are encouraged to tell their teachers about any sign of faith in their parents’ home.’
Another NGO, Korea Future, said children were taught in school about the ‘evil deeds’ of Christian missionaries, including ‘rape, blood sucking, organ harvesting, murder, and espionage’.
The report said: ‘One defector told Korea Future that the government published graphic novels in which Christians coaxed children into churches and took them to the basement to draw their blood.’
A 2-year-old toddler in North Korea has been jailed for life after their parents were found with a Bible 😔 pic.twitter.com/HJwLTK4XJa
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 26, 2023
On June 30, 2019 President Trump crossed the DMZ into North Korea – One reason the Dems & RINO’s hate him and had to stop him.
PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH could not be tolerated! pic.twitter.com/7txABEyV0U— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) May 21, 2023
North Korea terrified of new US military (terrified they will die laughing, that is)https://t.co/tADRPPX8HC
— David Icke (@davidicke) May 19, 2023
I just love kim❤❤😂💪
Why doesn't Android offer North Korea flag 🤔 pic.twitter.com/C9iZb6s0Th
— Tobias Hübsch 🌐🕊️ 🙏 (@flugkind) May 21, 2023
