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5 Facts about North Korea’s violations of human rights and religious freedom

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un missed the April 15 commemoration of the birthday of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. The silence from him since then has led to speculation that he is either seriously ill or has already died.

Kim’s death would likely not lead to an improvement in the lives of North Korea’s citizens. The authoritarian Kim family has ruled the country since its founding, and Jong Un’s successor is expected to be similarly repressive.

Here are five facts you should know about North Korea’s human and religious rights violations.

1. The United Nations issued a report in 2002 estimating that somewhere between 200,000 and 400,000 of North Korea’s inhabitants identify as Christian. But freedom of religion or belief does not exist in North Korea and is, in fact, profoundly suppressed, says the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The North Korean government relentlessly persecutes and punishes religious believers through arrest, torture, imprisonment, and sometimes execution, USIRF adds. Once imprisoned, religious believers typically are sent to political prison camps, where they are treated with extraordinary cruelty.

This Week at the ERLC

• Grace Liu was a part of a webinar hosted by Wheaton College and the Asian-American Christian Collaborative about Asian-American racism. 

• Russell Moore was on the Worthy podcast discussing the value of women. 

• Daniel Patterson and Russell Moore commented in this Baptist Press story on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s inflammatory threats earlier this week in New York City.

• Jason Thacker wrote a piece for Facts and Trends about how families should teach kids about artificial intelligence.

Helpful Resources On COVID-19

• Keep up with the ERLC’s latest resources on coronavirus at ERLC.com/COVID19
   
• Keep up with the latest CDC news and resources at coronavirus.gov
   
• From The White House | Coronavirus Guidelines for All Americans

What You Need to Read

• Mike McCarty with Why home is not always a safe place during stay-at-home orders: The increased risk of sexual abuse during COVID-19.

We know that 1 out of 6 American women have been the survivor of rape or attempted rape. Since 1998 the total number has reached an alarming 17 million American women. And, just as horrifying, 80,000 children per year (reported cases; the actual number is much higher) are the survivors of rape and sexual assault. For those at risk, sheltering in place at home is the most dangerous place on earth for them.

• Lindsay Nicolet with How one church provided childcare for essential workers during the pandemic.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, a feeling of helplessness and fear hit many of us. What could we do? How would we be able to serve in the midst of restrictions? What if we got sick? But one church in Mississippi stepped up to meet an immediate need. First Baptist Church of Picayune started a free daycare for healthcare providers. So far, they have had a total of 42 children—a number that fluctuates each day depending on the shift—with ages ranging from 1 month to 13 years old.

• Dane Hays with What should you do when disagreeing with family and friends about social distancing?

What do I need to do if those closest to me, including other extended family members and close friends, want to engage with the public is a different way than I am comfortable with for myself and my family? How can I remain loving and kind, even when I disagree with others about how to apply social distancing? While these questions may seem daunting, thankfully, we are not without biblical wisdom on these matters.

News From Capitol Hill

This week in Washington, D.C., the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 2020 annual report on the global state of this fundamental right. USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by Congress to monitor threats to religious freedom.

The report, according to Travis Wussow, is a “rigorous, independent source of evidence that the ERLC relies on in its advocacy around the world.” Wussow continued in comments to Baptist Press:

“Religious freedom for all, both at home and abroad, is a long-held, top priority of Southern Baptists and the ERLC's work in Washington, D.C. and within international organizations. It is incumbent on those of us with freedom to relentlessly advocate for the vulnerable and the voiceless who live under the rule of those tyrants and oppressors who do not respect their fundamental freedoms.”

Chelsea Patterson Sobolik wrote an explainer highlighting that “the cruelties that Christians and other religious minorities face in all parts of the world are horrific and deserve the attention of our churches and government as we work together to stop this persecution. Scripture clearly calls us to “open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Prov. 31:8).” 

Sobolik also noted the significance of the commission’s recommendation that India be placed on the State Department’s list of Countries of Particular Concern. It’s been nearly two decades since India was listed as a CPC, but their new citizenship laws threaten religious freedom and amplify violent strife between communities.

One country that remains atop USCIRF’s CPC recommendations is North Korea. The uncertainty churning from Kim Jong Un’s continued absence sparks questions for the future of the regime.

Jeff Pickering and Travis Wussow welcomed back to Capitol Conversations our friend Olivia Enos to discuss what this news means for human rights and religious freedom in this persecuted country. Enos is a senior policy analyst in the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation and traveled to Singapore and Hanoi for the nuclear summits between President Trump and Chairman Kim. Listen to their conversation here.

Featured Podcasts

From The Public Square

List India as top religious freedom violator, says watchdog group
Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service

India, which recently passed legislation that experts say is detrimental to Muslims, should be placed on the U.S. government’s list of most egregious religious freedom violators, a watchdog agency says in its new report.

Religious freedom attorneys pick their battles amid pandemic
Elana Schor, ABC News

As states grapple with when and how to reopen establishments amid the pandemic, religious freedom remains a legal flashpoint.

What’s Next for North Korea’s Christians?
Arielle Del Turco, RealClearReligion

If Kim were to die—particularly without a successor—the implications would be significant. In such a scenario, what would become of North Korea’s Christians?

White House-favored model raises coronavirus death estimate to more than 74,000
Quint Forgey, Politico

The model, produced by researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and frequently referenced by top administration officials, modified its forecast to a projected 74,073 deaths in the U.S. by August 4 — with an estimate range of 56,563 to 130,666.