FIRST ON FOX: South Korea’s attempt to ease tensions with North Korea is reportedly endangering the lives of approximately 400,000 Christians in the North, a policy change critics are calling “a catastrophic strategic mistake.”
Lee Jae-myung, the new South Korean President, reportedly ordered the cessation of about 80% of radio broadcasts from the South into the North in May. He also ordered the removal of loudspeakers along the border that had been broadcasting anti-communist messages.
According to the Korea Times, Myung expressed to his Cabinet his hope that these actions would foster dialogue and communication between the two Koreas, aiming to transform their relationship from one of mutual harm to one of mutual benefit.
South Korea’s defense ministry stated on korea.net on August 5 that these new measures are “practical measures to help ease inter-Korean tensions, within a range that does not affect the military’s readiness posture.”
However, the shutdown of radio stations is severely impacting North Korean Christians, where worshipping Christianity is a crime punishable by execution, sometimes after torture, even possessing a Bible can result in execution.
With no general internet access for ordinary citizens, radio remains the primary means for Christians to access the Gospel and Christian teachings. The Stimson Center’s 38 North reports that broadcasts into North Korea from the South have been reduced by almost 80% since May, and could decrease further.
Reports also indicate that the Christian message is becoming harder to receive due to increased electronic jamming by North Korean authorities, facilitated by the reduction in broadcasts.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told Digital that the State Department Office of International Religious Freedom is actively exploring new ways to promote religious freedom globally, including in North Korea, particularly for its persecuted Christian community, adding that President Trump champions religious freedom, including defending access to the Bible and religious texts.
Timothy Cho, a North Korean defector and member of the British government’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea, emphasized the vital importance of these broadcasts to North Korean Christians, describing them as “hope” and “light” during their darkest times.
Cho stated that in North Korea, the Kim family is portrayed as gods, which is why Christianity is so feared. He added that the greatest threat to the North Korean regime is the concept of a true God separate from the Kim dynasty.
Greg Scarlatiou, President and CEO of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, said that underground Christianity fosters the free exchange of ideas and is a defining aspect of Korean identity, something the Kim regime seeks to eradicate and added, “The shutting down of radio stations beaming information into North Korea is a catastrophic strategic mistake. True change can’t come from the Kim family. It can only come from the people of North Korea, especially Christians. And the only thing the outside world can do to help them is empowerment through information.”
North Korea remains at the top of Open Doors’ World Watch List for Christian persecution. The organization reports that homes are searched without warning, and possession of Christian materials is considered a crime against the nation, leading to banishment, imprisonment, or execution. Using unregistered smartphones or radios to access unapproved media is also punished.
The report continued, “Christians only dare to listen to radio programs at night, hidden under blankets. Each act of worship, even though conducted by oneself, is perceived as an “act of extreme disloyalty.” Citizens are trained to report anyone who might be an enemy of the regime, including family members.
The Open Doors report also noted that the national media disseminates anti-Christian content, portraying Christians as evil betrayers and missionary activities as acts of terrorism.
Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean leader’s sister, stated that North Korea has no intention of improving relations with South Korea, regardless of the dismantling of loudspeakers or cessation of broadcasts, monitored by a source in Seoul, reportedly saying, “We don’t care whether South Korea dismantles the loudspeakers or stops the broadcasts. We have no intention of improving relations with America’s loyal lackeys.”
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