Release International has recently launched a new campaign urging the government of North Korea to protect the human rights of Christians.
The campaign requests people to sign a petition calling for religious freedom in North Korea - a communist country, where all forms of Christian meeting, literature and Bibles are banned.
North Korea has long been acknowledged by human rights groups as one of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world. Entire families have been imprisoned because one member has been found to be a Christian, or to be in possession of a Bible. Believers are often detained, tortured and sent to labour camps unless they renounce their faith.
One former prisoner, who was interviewed under the pseudonym of Mr Kim to protect his identity, said:
“If there is a hell in this world, then it is the North Korean concentration camps. [In the camps] there is only fear, and absolutely no connection to the outside world.
“The food crisis is bad in North Korea, but it is even worse in the camps. People die of malnutrition. If anyone was found praying they would disappear.”
Another defector, also identified in an interview with a false name - Mr Sung - said that life in North Korea was about “survival”.
“We cannot say it is about human life. There is no freedom to speak,” he said.
Mr Sung escaped to China but lost his mother and brother in the process. They were discovered by soldiers and beaten to death.
“I have forgiven those who killed my mother and brother, but I cannot help but feel the guilt of losing her,” he said.
Chief Executive of Release International, Andy Dipper, called upon Christians throughout the world to pray and take action on behalf of the North Korean Christians.
“We are urging the government of North Korea to allow Christians to worship freely without the threat of persecution,” he stated.
“Please pray that the petition will make a difference to the lives of Christians living in North Korea, whether believing in secret, or suffering in prison for their faith.”
[Image from Release International and depicts 'Mr Sung' - a North Korean defector].