Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — In most parts of the world, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. However, Christmas in North Korean, it is a day that cannot be acknowledged, let alone celebrated. In North Korea, celebrating Christmas is illegal, and Christians caught observing it face severe punishment, including execution.
The Ban on Religion
The prohibition stems from the nation’s strict adherence to Juche, an ideology that deifies its leaders, including the current ruler, Kim Jong Un. Under Juche, organized religion is seen as a threat to the regime’s control. Consequently, North Korea is officially atheist, although some citizens secretly practice their faith despite the risks.
Kang Jimin, a North Korean defector, told The Independent that he had no knowledge of Christmas or Christianity while living in Pyongyang. “Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ, but North Korea is a communist country, so people don’t know who Jesus Christ is. They don’t know who God is. For them, the Kim family is God.”
A Country Once Known as the “Jerusalem of the East”
Ironically, before the Korean War, North Korea had a strong Christian presence and was even called the “Jerusalem of the East.” Many pastors hailed from the northern region of Korea. Despite decades of suppression, there are still individuals who secretly adhere to Christian beliefs, although the consequences for doing so are dire.
Kang recounted stories of families imprisoned and executed for their faith. “If you are caught as a Christian, they will send you to prison camps,” he explained. “I heard about a family arrested for their belief in God. They were all executed, even the children, aged 10 and 7.”
State-Controlled Churches
North Korea maintains five state-controlled Christian churches in Pyongyang, which exist primarily as showcases for foreign visitors. According to the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB), the country has 121 religious facilities, including Buddhist temples and Cheondoist shrines. However, these sites do not function as genuine places of worship for citizens.
Kang noted, “These churches are not for ordinary people. They are used to show tourists that the country has religious freedom. If someone asks about churches, officials will take them there and say, ‘Of course we have churches. We are a free country.’”
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Silent Faith Amidst Oppression
Despite the extreme risks, some North Koreans continue to practice Christianity in secret. Their acts of faith are a testament to their resilience, even as they face one of the most repressive regimes in the world.
For those who risk their lives to believe in something greater than the regime, Christmas remains a forbidden but deeply meaningful symbol of hope and faith.
(Becky)
