World's Worst Persecutor
Correction: This article originally incorrectly identified Bruce Klingner. He is a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation. We regret the error.
The United States removed North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in October, but observers say Christians still have much to fear from its government.
"As long as the Kim Jong Il regime and its successors remain in control, [North Korea] is going to be a brutally repressive country," said Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation and former North Korea analyst for the CIA. "It's going to continue to be a dismal future for Christians."
The Center for the Study of Global Christianity estimates that there are 467,894 Christians in North Korea and 10,592 Christian martyrs each year. Open Doors ministry lists the country as the world's worst religious persecutor.
Observers say that even the death of Kim Jong Il, rumored to be in poor health, may not improve conditions.
"Our contacts are telling us that in the short term, it doesn't matter," said Todd Nettleton, spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs. "The people who brought Kim Jong Il to the throne are not going to suddenly decide, 'Hey, let's let Christians worship freely.'"
However, Franklin Graham says he preached the gospel at Pyongyang's Bongsu Protestant Church in August with no restriction from authorities. Graham also visited the country in 2000. He and his father, evangelist Billy Graham, are the only two Americans who have been permitted to preach at Bongsu.
"Some say [the churches] are a sham, this isn't real, but I think that is a call the Lord wouldn't have us make," said Mel Cheatham, special assistant to Franklin Graham and a board member of Samaritan's Purse, which provides ...
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ruthofthenations
I know Franklin Graham is making a difference. On May 5th, 2000 the Lord Jesus appeared to me in my prayer closet. He stated he was going to put me an an "orphanage" in North Korea. When I asked him how this would be? He said: "Benny Hinn will build it and Franklin Graham prepares the way even now". Then the Lord was Gone. I prayed for confirmation. I asked the Lord to Bring me a Korean Bible if this word was true. Within 30 days a lady appeared from nowhere and came to our church. (June 4th 2000) Small Baptist Church in Southbury CT. She was standing in front of me and I didn't notice her until the end of the service during the final song. As if scales fell from my eyes, I saw her Korean Bible on the Chair in front of me when we stood up to sing. That Christmas she gave me a Korean/English Bible. Then she left the church after Christmas. I have just gotten my master's degree as an ESL teacher. One day I will be in North Korea, for God's Glory.
TOM WARDWELL
I RECENTLY SAW A FOX NEWS REPORT ON FRANKLIN GRAHM'S MISSION TO NORTH KOREA DEPICTING THE MARVELOUS WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY SAMARITAN;S PURSE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF FRANKLIN GRAHAM. GRETA VANSUSTERAN ACCOMPANIED HIM AND IT SHOWED GOD AT WORK IN THIS COUNTRY, THIS TRIP WAS PRECEEDED BY THE FACT THAT RUTH GRAHAM HAD LIVED THERE WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, AND BEFORE SHE MET AND MARRIED BILLY. I LOOK FOR MIRACULOUS GOD-EMPOWERED GOOD RESULTS IN YEARS TO COME.PRAISE GOD AND BLESS HIS ANNOINTED SERVENTS.
Steve keete
As far as I am aware, neither Revs. Billy or Franklin Graham are politicians; they are simply gospel preachers. A gospel preacher shares the gospel when given the opportunity to do so and regards it as a privilege. Whether the one who invited him has his own agenda ought not to be the chief concern of the preacher . And what does it matter that the North Korean Government is against Christianity. Isn't this the point of the gospel? It is not to call the righteous but sinners. Kim Jong Il and his cohorts certainly qualify as sinners. By preaching the gospel in North Korea the Grahams may accomplish more than all the politicians who have visted the country. Who knows, North Korea may yet "beat its nuclear arsenal into ploughshares". And to those who believe the Grahams are being duped are are just being naive I ask, what if they are simply trusting God and believing that the gospel message will fall on some good ground?