Six Americans were detained after attempting to send bottles filled with Bibles, USBs, money, and rice by sea to North Korea.
Though well-meaning, their actions violated South Korean ordinances banning balloon and sea-based launches to the North, ordinances aimed at reducing tensions. These types of efforts have long been common, but the group appears to have acted without consulting local organizations experienced in such work.
Eric Foley from Voice of the Martyrs Korea explains, “One of the challenges that we see with people, groups doing work (trying to help those) inside North Korea is that they often don’t think about the Christians that are inside North Korea, to begin with.”
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Their unsanctioned effort has drawn scrutiny and may prompt tighter restrictions, making it harder for South Korea-based groups who conduct similar work more responsibly and effectively. Most of these groups have found rice bottles ineffective, often failing to reach North Korea.
It’s a reaction, instead of a response. Foley says such efforts wrongly assume no gospel outreach exists. Yet, “More people are reading the Bible inside North Korea today than any other time in history.” As of 2020, up to eight percent had encountered Scripture, compared to none in 2000.
Still, the cost is steep. “There are an estimated 30,000 North Koreans in prison for their faith,” says Foley.
He urges global intercession, both before God and, where possible, before their government. When Christians become aware of the extreme pressures faced by North Korean believers, they must become a voice for them. Share their stories; raise awareness, advocate on their behalf, pray that their faith holds true. Most importantly, pray for more gospel opportunities and for the boldness of local believers.
“Listen to the people who are in a country. Listen to how they tackle the problem, how they ask for partnership, how they believe that those things can best be done,” he adds. Visit Voice of the Martyrs Korea to learn how you can help.
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This story originally appeared at Mission Network News and is republished here with permission.