The recent reports of Christians being rounded up and persecuted in North Korea have caused a stir in the international community. In particular, The Telegraph published an article on their website detailing the persecution of Christians in the country, including the rounding up of believers in the dead of night, the execution of Christians, and the incarceration of their families in labor camps.
However, it is important to note that the portrayal of religious freedom in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is often negative and sensationalised in the media. In reality, the country’s Socialist Constitution guarantees full religious freedom to its citizens, as stated in Chapter V: Basic Rights and Duties of a Citizen (Article 68). This article explicitly recognizes citizens’ freedom of religious belief, including the construction of religious buildings and the holding of religious ceremonies.
Contrary to popular belief, religion is not suppressed in the DPRK. The Korean Buddhists Federation, the Korean Federation of Christians, and other religious groups are proud and active members of the country’s public institutions. The DPRK is a secular state, which means that no official religion has power in politics, and the government does not discriminate against any particular religious group.
It is important to note that the DPRK’s Constitution prohibits the use of religion as a pretext for drawing in foreign forces or for harming the State or social order. This clause ensures that religious freedom is exercised within the framework of national interests and security.
One example of this religious freedom for Christians is the Pongsu Church in the Mangyongdae District of Pyongyang City. The church was built in 1988 and renovated in 2008 with the support of Christian minds and efforts.
In light of the above, we must clearly refute reports of repression against Christians in the DPRK and draw attention to the guaranteed freedom of religious belief for all of its citizens as enshrined in the DPRK Constitution. Additionally, we would like to note that sensationalism and half-truths propagated by the media about the DPRK always serve as a detriment to understanding the country and may mislead the public about the true situation in the country.
It is important to acknowledge that the Western media has played a significant role in perpetuating misconceptions about North Korea, including its treatment of religion. The country has been unfairly portrayed as a repressive regime, when in reality, its government guarantees freedom of religion under the constitution. However, this fact is often ignored or overlooked in media coverage of North Korea, which instead relies on sensationalist and unreliable sources that promote false narratives.
Given these challenges, we appeal to the media to provide a more objective and nuanced view of North Korea. Instead of relying on unconfirmed “anonymous sources” and sensationalist reporting, we urge the media to use reliable sources and provide a balanced perspective on the situation in the country. This will help to improve our understanding of the DPRK and contribute to a more productive and constructive approach towards human rights.
Additionally, we encourage the media to highlight the impact of international sanctions on North Korea and the role of Western powers in exacerbating the situation, rather than simply blaming the country’s government.
