North Korea
As we think of North Korea these days, are hearts are heavy with thoughts of the sentencing of Kenneth Bae to 15 years of "hard labor" and the repatriation of nine refugees taken in Laos and returned to China from where they were then sent back to the North. Here's an article about Ken Bae's sentencing and his efforts to share Christ in North Korea. The case of the "Laos Nine" is generating anger among activists and, a bit surprisingly, in China as well. Here is a picture of that includes the group ranging in age from 15 to 23. (http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk03100&num=10617)
We are also concerned for the people in North Korea these days who have been struggling with a whole series of mobilizations ranging from being called up to "prepare for war", to the spring "rice planting battle" and a number of other special projects as well. These mobilizations interfere with ordinary life, which is difficult enough as it is--especially things like getting food.
The closing of the Kaesong Industrial Complex has also added its share of problem, especially for the 53,000 North Korean workers who no longer have jobs. Of course it has also been a big blow to the South Korean companies that invested there and have lost their assets and income. The longer it stays shut, the less likely these companies will be to risk future investment as well. Closed for 60 days as of June 1st, there doesn't seem to be any likelihood of it opening soon.
The North has been making some noises about inviting managers back to Kaesong and possibly rejoining the Six Party Talks again, but the South Korean government is having a very hard time taking any of this seriously.
While all of this is going on, there are many signs that ordinary people in North Korea, especially in Pyongyang, are looking more and more to South Korea for the latest trends and fashion ideas…
Special Announcement: We would like to encourage you to actually take a trip to North Korea and pray in the land. You can do it! That is, if you have a non-South Korean passport. Krahun Tours is a tour company based in the Rajin-Sonbong region of North Korea that wants to encourage Believers to come in, see and experience North Korea first hand and pray for the nation. It is perfectly safe. Really. You don't need to worry about getting into trouble. Check out their website at krahun.com/visit-dprk.
Ben Torrey,
Director
The Fourth River Project, Inc.
