[Prayer] North Korea, world’s highest level of defense budget compared to economic scale
According to a report released by the US Department of State, North Korea is the country with the largest share of defense spending compared to the national economy. From 2006 to 2016, North Korea’s defense spending as a percentage of GDP was the highest in the world with an annual average of 23.3%. The United States ranked 16th with 4.3% and South Korea ranked 46th with 2.6%. The report estimated that much of North Korea’s defense spending was spent on nuclear and missile development costs. In addition, North Korea was the highest in the world in terms of the proportion of the military population compared to the total population. Among the 24.5 million North Koreans in same the period, the number of soldiers was 1.16 million, 4.8% of the entire population.
We pray that North Korea, which has spent excessive expenses on military strength, such as nuclear and weapons development, will invest for the benefit of its own people and their livelihoods.
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 54:17
