In China bordering North Korea, custom goods that are written on the label or packing in Korean cannot clear customs. So in order to pass customs, the Korean labels has to be removed and repackaged in Chinese. But recently, the custom clearance got heightened as to confiscate any forms or patterns of a cross on clothing, hair clips, headbands, neck ties, and even medical supplies. The reason is that it reminds the people of a Christian cross. There are even snacks imported from China that has ‘X’ character not a cross but the customs officials have confiscated insisting it is a form of a cross. Women wearing cross shaped ear rings have had the ear rings confiscated by NK SSB Agents and extensive enforcement penalizing anyone with cross shapes has been carried out throughout North Korea.
In addition, each school is on an emergency alert. When students are doing addition, they are to have the plus signs equal as to not become a cross. Thus the North Korean teachers and students are very nervous about plus signs becoming a cross. As such the school has also strengthened the anti-Christian teaching that was not enforced in the past. Yet people are getting brainwashed to worship Kim Jong-un or else be put to death. These kind of atrocities has to be stopped immediately and we must pray that the day that North Koreans are to worship God freely will come quickly.
Father God, we cling to your word in Psalm 142:6, “Listen to my cry for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.” And we pray for the situation of North Korean officials intensifying the crackdown on Christians. May the atrocities of North Korea in trying to take away the significance of the cross by banning all Korean goods, even crackers and (+) signs in schools be stopped in Jesus’ Name. With your strong hand won’t you break the stiff necked people who are opposing You. May the power of the cross be demonstrated in North Korea so that the day when North Koreans will worship you freely come swiftly and safely.
In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
