The United Nations reported that bribery for survival is a routine in North Korean society. Particularly in the case of the people doing business in Jangmadang market, they must constantly bribe the party officials because the officials can arrest, detain, and torture them at any time. It has been investigated that the bribes were mostly in cash or tobacco. A North Korean defector interviewed for the report complained about corruption and oppression in the North Korean society by making statements such as “we would starve to death if we followed the instructions of the authorities,” and “if we have money we won’t be punished even if we killed someone”.
“This city must be punished; it is filled with oppression. As a well pours out its water, so she pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction resound in her; her sickness and wounds are ever before me.” As it is recorded in Jeremiah 6:6-7, corruption, oppression, and abduction are spread throughout North Korean society. Rather than ensuring a stable environment for the residents to do business, the party executives instead are carrying out evil acts of arbitrary arrest, detention, execution, and imprisonment in order to receive bribes. We pray that North Korea will become a nation that secures freedom and justice through having more honest executives and leaders with God’s heart who do not seek for their own benefits but works for the citizens.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
