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StoryNorth Korea | 20 February 2025
Why North Korean Christians pray for you
Show: false / Country: North Korea /
A stunning look at the lives and faith of believers living in the place where it’s hardest to follow Jesus
“We have a saying in North Korea,” says a North Korean Christian. “A tree lives with water, but people live with kimchi [a spicy Korean side dish made from fermented vegetables]. Kimchi is very important for us, but the prices are too high, because of the bad economic situation. If we can’t make kimchi, we know that winter will be very hard.”
This is just one of several messages that Open Doors recently received from secret believers living inside North Korea, ranked No. 1 on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List. The messages show the difficulty of simply surviving in the country—and the deep faith that sustains so many. In a place where following Jesus means everyday risk of imprisonment and death, the messages are filled with hope and commitment to Christ.
The Christian who quotes the proverb about kimchi also describes how North Korean authorities continue to claim their policies are successful. “Their slogan is: ‘Let’s go for Communism,’ but the people say: ‘Let’s go for emptiness,’” the believer says. “During lectures and gatherings, the officials sing the praises of our leader, describing him as a great teacher, a great father, etc. We must offer him our loyalty. Meanwhile, everyone lives in poverty.”
Another underground church member adds that even “high class” people live in poverty. “Most people lack firewood,” she says. “We cannot cook, and we cannot heat our houses. Inside, it’s just as cold as outside. We have to wear our winter coats indoors and cover ourselves with blankets.”
Living in North Korea means struggling to survive. The combination of physical suffering with the ongoing propaganda makes daily life even harder. In-country sources report many deaths from malnutrition.
Yet, North Korean believers don’t give up.
“We are committed to lay down our lives for the gospel,” one believer says. “We will fulfill the commission and we will never forsake the truth.”
“I thank God,” another Christian adds. “He deserves our gratitude and honor, because He continuously shows us His love and grace. He has forgiven our sins and blesses us as the children of God. We are also grateful for your prayers. We are proud to be part of God’s Kingdom and are motivated to live for Christ alone. We are able to do that thanks to the strength you give us.”
A third believer emphasizes the devotion of the believers she knows: “They are genuine believers who make the days of others brighter. They help them where they can.”
The Word of God is what keeps faithful Christians on their feet.
“Just like a tree needs its roots, a Christian community needs the Word of God,” says one North Korean Christian. “Without the Bible, we cannot survive. That’s why we invest a lot of energy into feeding the next generation the Word of God. Only then can we think and act biblically.”
Through its networks in China, Open Doors is able to reach many North Korean Christians who are able to cross the border. This fills these believers with gratitude. These Christians may never see your face, hear your voice or read your name, but they know that you love them, which gives them the strength to continue.
That’s why one secret Christian says, even as he risks everything for Jesus: “We pray for you, brother or sister, that God may fill you with His abundant grace and love.”
