North Korea: Life in the Prison Camp - Open Doors

warning!
1. You must not escape.
2. Three or more inmates must
not meet together.
3. You must not steal.
4. You must absolutely obey
The orders 10 Commandments
of the Protection
Agency guidance officers.
of North Korean Prison Camps
5. You must immediately report
if you You must
All inmates must
1 saw any outsiders or
not escape.
6 carefully watch
suspicious people.
over each other
2
Three or more
inmates must not
other’s unusual
6. All meet inmates together. must carefully
behavioUr.
watch over each other and
You must
You must overfulfill
all each tasks
3immediately not steal. report 7
other’s unusual behavior.
assigned to you.
4
You must absolutely obey
and immediately
report each
Unless it is job-
orders of the Protection related, no contact
7. You
Agency
must
guidance officers.
over-fulfill
between male and
all
tasks assigned to female you. is allowed.
You must BE
You must immediately
8.
5
Unless it is job-related,
no contact report if you sEE any 9 TRULY REMORSEFUL
outsiders or suspicious
FOR YOUR OWN
people. between male and
female is allowed.
MISTAKES.
10
You shall be immediately shot by
9. firing You squad must if you ever be violate truly these
laws and regulations of the camp.
remorseful
for your own mistakes.
10. You shall be immediately
8

life inside the
labour camps
A Google earth satellite picture of a
prison camp in North Korea
This illustration drawn by a former
prisoner shows a prisoner using
food to catch a mouse
“When I was in the camp, there was
so much death all around me. When
people died, we stripped them from their
clothes and had to bring the corpses to
the mountains. Others were burned in
crematoria and their ashes were scattered
over the road. We had to walk that road
every day. I thought, ‘One day the other
prisoners will walk over me.’ We didn’t
mean anything to the guards.”
Hea-Woo*, a North Korean Christian
refugee who spent several years in a
prison camp
High in the mountains in the
North Korean province of South
Hamkyung is Camp No. 15: the
Yodok labour camp.
Its tall, barbed wire fences are
surrounded by minefields and other traps.
From the top of a seven-metre watchtower,
sentries keep guard. Escape is almost
impossible.
Kim Tae-Jin was put in Yodok because
he was a defector. He’d actually made it
to China, but was then recaptured, and
returned to North Korea. He spent eight
months in prison before being moved to the
vast Yodok labour camp. Prison had been
terrible. Yodok was far worse.
“In the camp I saw people dying of
hunger and sickness,” he says, “and I
watched executions. In Yodok, too, it
regularly happens that prisoners are beaten.
One prisoner was brutally beaten because he
planted some
maize slightly
“I was amazed the
Christians chose to
suffer and did not
betray their God”
differently
than what Kim
Il-Sung had
ordered.’
In Yodok,
starvation
is a way of
life. Given a
handful of
maize to eat three times a day, prisoners are
reduced to making a salty, almost inedible
soup from plants found in the mountains.
Sometimes Kim managed to catch and
eat some rats, mice, snakes or frogs. Even
frogspawn is highly sought after among the
prisoners in Yodok.
But, amazingly, Kim’s internment in
Yodok was a crucial step towards him finding
true freedom.
“One day, ‘by chance’ I met
a Christian inside the camp,” he
said. “I had never expected that
there would be any Christians in
Yodok. He was the leader of a
group of seven Christians. They
called themselves the Community
of Love, and occasionally met in
secret. I knew that it was forbidden
to be a Christian in the camp. Still
I was not afraid to talk to him.
Sometimes he told me stories from
the Bible, and I enjoyed that.”
The end was inevitable. The
Community of Love was betrayed.
“They were all horribly tortured,”
said Kim. “My friend and the
others were sent to another camp,
with an even stricter regime. You
do not get out of a camp like that
alive. After that, I did sometimes
try to find some Christians in
Yodok, but with no luck.”
Total control
Astonishingly, there are places
even worse than Yodok. The
Christians were taken into what
is known as a ‘total control zone’.
Most of the estimated 50,000 to
70,000 Christians in the North
Korean labour camps are held in
the total control zones.
There, Christians are kept in
isolation from other prisoners. Lee
Soon-Ok, who was imprisoned
in prison facility No. 1 Kaechon,
wrote about several hundred
Christians who were kept there.
“They received less food and
were punished harder than others.
Once or twice a month all the
6,000 prisoners needed to gather
on a Saturday or Sunday and one
or two Christians were publicly
asked to denounce their faith. If
not, they were beaten or stabbed
with a sharp bamboo stick. I was
amazed the Christians chose to
suffer and did not betray their God.
Often they just sang songs or said
‘Amen’. The guards became furious
and frequently killed Christians.”
What struck Lee most was that
the Christians were not allowed to
look up to the heavens. Those who
did were punished heavily. Many
were sent to the electrical torture
room. “I never saw a Christian
return from this room,” she wrote.
As far as we know, no
Christians have ever escaped from
these total control zones. All we
can do for them is pray that, one
day, things will change.
Waiting for change
Change, though, is a scarce
commodity in North Korea.
Apart from allowing women
to wear trousers in public and
experimenting with minor
agricultural reforms, the new ruler,
Kim Jong-Un, has done nothing to
indicate that the situation might
be easing. Just the opposite, in
fact. Open Doors sources suggest
that there has been an increase
in the number of North Korean
spies in China, searching for
Christian organisations that help
North Korean refugees. Since he
came to power, one South Korean
missionary was killed in China and
two others died in suspicious car
accidents.
Change, it is clear, is not
coming from the new leader. But
despite Kim Jong-Un, despite
Yodok and Kaechon, despite the
relentlessly dehumanising North
Korean regime, God is still at work.
*Name changed for security reasons
8 OPEN DOORS magazine January 2013 | www.opendoorsuk.org
9

life inside the
labour camps
Bringing hope
For many years, Open Doors has been
secretly channelling food, medicines,
clothes, books and Bibles to the Christians
in North Korea.
A North Korean Christian visited
one widow and her family to give them
financial and practical support provided
by Open Doors.
“The sister was suffering from serious
health issues and her finger- and toenails
had almost fallen out due to forced
labour for such a long time,” says a North
Korean Christian who visited the family.
“However, we could help her family with
the grace and love of God. They have
suffered enormous pain from forced
labours but have never forgotten God.
She was grateful and didn’t know how to
express her gratitude to all those who have
helped them. She also said that she feels
reassured knowing that there are many
brothers and sisters who are always taking
good care of them. She will stay stronger
to be more faithful and will do her best to
repay all the love she and her family have
received.”
“The most important thing we can
do,” says an Open Doors spokesman, “is
to bring hope to the Christians by praying
for them and showing how much we care
through delivering these essential goods
despite the risks.”
But much of our support for our
North Korean family occurs in China
where, in partnership with the local
church, Open Doors works among
North Korean refugees. These are people
who have made their way out of North
Korea temporarily, to go to China to find
food and earn money, which they use to
support their families.
Sun-Hi* works among these refugees,
telling them about Jesus. “Recently there
was one woman who was pretty hostile
towards me on the first day we met,”
she says. “I prayed during the night that
something would happen. The next day
she opened up and apologised for her
behaviour. She said: ‘I thought you were
some kind of secret agent.’ And then: ‘I
do not know why North Korea forbids
people to hear about God. When I
return, I’ll share what I’ve heard with my
relatives.’ When we said our goodbyes,
she promised me she would try to come
to China again this winter. I pray it will
happen.”
God is moving among these refugees.
And Open Doors is working hard to use
the time that they are in China. Besides
biblical education, the defectors receive
shelter, food, medicines, clothing and
financial support, which they share with
their relatives. When these new converts
return to North Korea, they join with
other believers, meaning that the so-called
refugee church in North Korea is growing.
Pray for us
After four years in Yodok, Kim was
eventually released. After a harrowing
escape, he once again made it to China,
where he came into contact with some
Christians. He was given a Korean Bible
and the same month, he was baptised.
After many dangers, Kim
managed to make his way
into South Korea. And
now he seizes every
opportunity he can to
talk about his country,
and urge people to
pray for their brothers
and sisters.
“My personal
message is: Show an
interest in my country,” he
says. “Pray for it. We need
your support.”
will you pray
for north korea?
“Prayer in North Korea is a matter of life
and death,” says an Open Doors contact
who works with North Korean refugees.
“The most important thing we
teach them is how to build a
relationship with God. When
they return to their country they
cannot take a Bible along. Almost
half of all refugees who return are
arrested. In every situation they
need to trust in the Lord. That is
why prayer is so important.”
The North Korean church
has even started their own prayer
campaign for their country.
“God gave us a vision,” say
underground church leaders. “One
day our country will be opened
and reunited with South Korea.
Then the North Korean and South
Korean Church will work together
with our Chinese brothers and
sisters to evangelise in Asia. That
is going to be a hard, difficult task.
We see the current persecution
in North Korea as preparation
for that time.”
Along with a daily
email why not use
the Powerpoint
and Prayer Guide to
encourage people to
pray through January
for North Korea.
Day 1 – Tuesday 1 January
WHAT CAN I DO?
Throughout January we are asking
Christians in the UK and Ireland
to pray with their North Korean
brothers and sisters. In a secret
letter, a North Korean church
leader wrote that “No matter what
circumstances we face, we stand
firm in the mighty hands of God.”
Through our prayers, we can stand
alongside them.
Please pray for North Korea. To
sign up for daily prayer updates
by email and for more prayer
resources to help you, your
church or small group, go to
www.opendoorusk.org/31days.
31 days of prayer for norTh korea 2012 saw huge floods which Praise God that Open Doors has Prisoners in labour camps Pray for Open Doors co-workers
Thank God for the evangelistic
destroyed buildings, devastated been able to increase the amount must perform a l their tasks in like Sun-Hi* (see Magazine p10),
zeal of many North Korean
many crops and increased the of emergency food and medical work units. The whole group is who work with refugee women in
Christians. One church leader
desperate food shortages. Pray aid distributed inside the country punished if one prisoner makes China. This ministry is especia ly
says: “We pray that we may do His
that 2013 wi l be a year without in recent years, reaching around a mistake. This means tha the dangerous and emotiona ly
wi l in every situation. Through
natural disasters. Pray fo rich 56,000 people in 2011. Pray that prisoners are very harsh on one draining. Pray for protection,
the persecution, we see that He is
harvests this year and for a fair we are able to distribute more and another. Pray that Christians wi l strength and wisdom to know chrisTiaNs
sanctifying the Church. And if we
distribution of the food so that more food and medicine to more have supernatural grace to be how to share God’s love with aND church
die, we die.” Pray for continued
a l may benefit.
and more people.
channels of God’s love and hope. these deeply traumatised women.
boldne s to witne s in secret.
Pray for police officers, secret Severe flooding a the end of July
Heavy labour and a lack o food Thank God for the faith of Because people are constantly Give thanks for the many
inte ligence agents and a l left over 10,000 people homeless,
means that most prisoners are female refugees who choose to monitored, Christians have opportunities Open Doors has to
authorities actively involved in 119 dead and many missing.
very weak and emaciated. Anyone serve Him, despite their terrible difficulty gathering for worship. serve the North Korean church.
hunting down Christians. Ask Damage to irrigation systems has
who does not achieve his daily traumas and living conditions. Most meet in groups of no more Thank God for his protection of
the Holy Spiri to speak through led to a lack of clean drinking
target is given fewe rations. It is Pray tha they wi l be rooted and than two. Ask God to provide Open Doors contacts and workers.
Christians who are in the hands water. Pray for good cooperation
almost impossible to survive on established in God’s love so that ways for Christians to meet for Ask the Holy Spiri to guide Open
POWer aND
of the government, so tha their between aid agencies working to
PrisONers
the three sma l portions they are they can share the hope tha they fe lowship, and pray that He wi l Doors in developing strategies
POliTics
witness becomes powerful and help the a fected, and adequate aND refuGees
given each day. Ask God to help have with those who don’t yet make it possible for Christians to to strengthen the North Korean
e fective.
provision for the homeless.
people to find extra food. know Jesus.
receive biblical training.
church in the short and long term.
It has been just over a year since Ask God to give wisdom to those Ask God to put an end to the China continues to operate a Thank God for the courageous Children growing up in Christian The secret police trains people
Kim Jong-Un came to power members of the international corruption and soaring prices of policy o forcibly repatriating witne s of Christians in prisons families often don’t know their to disguise themselves as
fo lowing the death of his father. community who deal with North goods necessary for survival. One refugees to North Korea, where and labour camps. Pray tha they parents are Christians. If they ‘Christians’. Sometimes they God has given underground
Pray that Kim Jong-Un and his Korea. Pray that more foreigners kg of rice costs twice the average they face torture, imprisonment wi l never feel alone, but wi l know did, they might repor them to the set up fake prayer meetings church leaders a vision for their
regime wi l be open to change and wi l receive permission to trade worker’s wage. Pray tha the and sometimes execution. Pray the presence of Jesus. Pray that authorities. Pray that Christian to a tract Christian so that country: “One day our country
wi l pave the road fo reform in with North Korea and wi l gain government wi leave the black that China’s new leadership wi l Christ’s power wi l rest on them parents wi l find ways to transfer they can expose them. Pray wi l be opened and reunited with
a l areas. Pray that any change in access to the country, and ask markets alone so people are able have a change of heart, and wi l and give them strength to endure Christian values to their children, that Christians wi l be given South Korea. Then the North
the country wi l be peaceful and God to use them to accomplish to trade and buy food.
a low refugees to stay in China. physical and mental torture. and when the children are older, discernment so they know who Korean and South Korean Church
wi l not lead to bloodshed. change.
teach them the Christian faith. to trust.
wi l work together with our
Chinese brothers and sisters to
evangelise Asia. That is going to
be a hard, difficul task. We see
Most North Koreans are
Kim Jong Un has increased the Through national media North Pray for those refugees who
Children in prison camps must Pray that Christians wi l put on
the current persecution in North
chronicaly malnourished, number of spie searching in Korea has announced it wi l make i to China. Many feel the
a tend school until they are 12, the fu l armour of God so they
Korea as preparation for that
unemployed and living way China for organisations helping experiment with sma l-scale responsibility of sending support
when they are se to work. Their can take their stand agains the
time.” Let’s pray with our brothers
and sisters tha this vision wi l
below the poverty line. Pray North Korean refugees. Ask God agricultural reforms. But as yet, to their families back in North
teachers are armed guards who give devil’ schemes. Ask God to
for political and agricultural to protect Open Door safe houses there have been no concrete moves Korea, but live in constant fear
them a very basic education. Those protec these believers from every
soon become a reality and that
change that wi lead to a rapid in China, so that we can continue to implement economic reform. of being arrested. Ask God to
who disobey or ask questions are kind of spiritual or physical
God wi l raise up His church in
improvement of th economic to support and influence entire Pray that, nevertheless, this wi l protect and strengthen them and
WOmeN aND
punished. Ask God to protec these a tack, and pray tha they are able
North Korea to take the gospel to
situation.
North Korean families through be the start of true change that pray that many wi l come into chilDreN
children from harsh treatment and to forgive those who persecute
the ends of the earth.
training for those refugees. rea ly benefits the people. contact with Christians in China.
comfor them with His love. them.
Thank you for your
Pray for Kim Jong-Un’s uncle,
The gulf in living standards Thank God that so many North Female refugees who escape to Tens of thousands of children Praise God that Open Doors is
faithful prayers for our
Jang Sung Taek, and his wife,
between those living in Pyongyang Korean refugees come to faith, China often fa l victim to human live on the streets because their able to secretly distribute Bibles
family in North Korea.
Kim Kyung Hee (Kim Jong-Il’s
and those living in rural areas is in China or elsewhere. Pray traffickers. Many end up in parents have died, been arrested and Christian materials inside We believe that, together, our
sister), whose job is to protec the
growing. People in rural areas are that God makes it possible for forced, abusive marriages, or are or fled the country. Some cross the the country – with over 45,000 prayers are making a difference!
regime and Kim Jong-Un. Their
increasingly su fering from the them to obtain a Bible once they pu to work in prostitution. Pray borders in search of a be ter life distributed in 2011. Pray for a l Please continue to pray for God’s
influence has grown significantly
famine. Pray for lower food prices return North Korea. Pray also for for an end to this i legal trade, in China. Pray for Open Doors those hidden Bibles: ask God to kingdom to come in North Korea.
in the past year. Ask God to move
in the rural areas, and for wisdom wisdom and boldness to know and pray tha those who have workers who help these children make ‘seeing eyes blind’ so that You can find more resources to
fOOD aND
them to speak up for the poor, the famiNe
for the regime in finding more how to share the gospel with their su fered violation and shame with food, clothes and money and none wi l be seen by the wrong help you pray and raise awareness
needy and the oppressed.
ways to produce food.
families and friends.
would know God’s restoration. share God’s love with them. people.
at www.opendoorsuk.org/pray
1-31 January 2013
“The earnesT prayer of a righTeous person has greaT
power and produces wonderful resulTs.” James 5:16
Day 2 – Wednesday 2 January
Day 3 – Thursday 3 January
Day 4 – Friday 4 January
PRAY
Day 5 – Saturday 5 January
Day 6 – Sunday 6 January
Day 7 – Monday 7 January
Day 8 - Tuesday 8 January
Day 9 - Wednesday 9 January
Day 10 - Thursday 10 January
Day 1 - Friday 1 January
Day 12 - Saturday 12 January
Day 13 - Sunday 13 January
Day 14 - Monday 14 January
Day 16 - Wednesday 16 January Day 20 - Sunday 20 January
Day 15 - Tuesday 15 January
Day 17 - Thursday 17 January
Day 18 - Friday 18 January
Day 19 - Saturday 19 January
Day 21 - Monday 21 January
Day 22 - Tuesday 22 January
Day 25 - Friday 25 January
Day 26 - Saturday 26 January
Day 23 - Wednesday 23 January Day 27 - Sunday 27 January
Day 24 - Thursday 24 January
Day 29 - Tuesday 29 January
Day 28 - Monday 28 January
Day 30 - Wednesday 30 January
Day 31 – ThurSDay
31 January
GIVE
There are tens of thousands
of street children on the
streets of North Korea.
Locals call them kotjebi
- ‘wandering swallows’.
North Korea is undoubtedly
the most difficult country in
the world to be a Christian.
But through Open Doors your
support can reach believers
wherever they are imprisoned,
martyred or persecuted.
Wherever this happens we
want to stand with them and
show our love and concern.
Please help, however you can.
Your gift will go to support our
vital work in North Korea and
nations where persecution is
most extreme. Here are some
examples of what your money
can achieve:
£30
provides five
believers in North
Korea with food, medicines and
other basic essentials to help
them survive.
£75
helps train a North
Korean refugee
preparing to return and share
the love of Christ.
You can make a gift using the
WWW
enclosed response form or online at
opendoorsuk.org/nk
10 OPEN DOORS magazine January 2013 | www.opendoorsuk.org
*Name changed for security reasons
11

An illustration drawn by
a former prisoner who
was detained in Chongori
prison, North Korea. This
picture shows prisoners
carrying buckets full of
excrement and mud to
fertilise the land.