Database Centre for North Korean Human Rights published a book called ‘North Korean Political Prison Camps: A Catalogue of Political Prison Camp Staff, Detainees, and Victims of Enforced Disappearance’ on 1st August. According to the book, one third of the inmates were convicted because of the quilt-by-association system. There are two different quarters in North Korean prison camps. One is called the total control zone where prisoners work till their death. The other sector is the revolutionary zone where prisoners are eventually released after serving their sentence. There are about 5,000 to 50,000 prisoners in each prison camp. There used to be more than 15 prison camps, now there are about 4 or 5 prisons camps controlled by the government – Kaechon Political Prison Camp No. 14, Yodok Political Prison Camp No. 15, Wasong Political Prison Camp No. 16 and Chongjin Political Prison Camp No. 25.
The North Korean government uses prisoners as labour force till they die and control the whole country by this severe penalty.
Man is created in the image of God. However, they are treated cruelly in North Korea. If they are found as Christians, not only they are imprisoned but also their families are convicted and executed for treason against North Korea. We need to pray against this evil law and pray for North Korean people to have freedom to worship God.
Father, thank You for the Scripture in Psalm 79 “Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!” Lord, You are faithful God who listens to our prayers. Lord, there are many prisoners who received a verdict of guilty not because of their own crime but of their families’. Please abolish the collective punishment in North Korea. Please have mercy upon the innocent not to be thrown into prison. Father, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering in prison because of their faith. Protect their lives. We pray for the gospel message to keep going out into North Korea so that many people come to know Jesus as their only Saviour. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
