Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, obtaining accurate information about religious persecution conditions has become challenging. However, the State Department managed to verify the details through non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights groups, and the United Nations.
Although a few registered institutions, including churches, exist in North Korea, they operate under strict state control and primarily serve as showcases for foreigners, according to visitors’ reports. Private religious activities are strictly forbidden by the government, making it difficult to assess the extent and number of underground churches.
Defectors have shared their experiences, revealing that the North Korean government encourages citizens to report any unauthorized religious activities or the possession of religious materials such as Bibles. Christians often practice their faith in secret, fearing repercussions from the government and their own communities.
In October 2021, Korea Future published a report based on interviews with 244 victims of religious freedom abuses, ranging from two-year-old children to individuals in their eighties. Disturbingly, more than 70 percent of the victims were women and girls. The government charged individuals with various offenses, including engaging in religious practices, possessing religious items, and sharing religious beliefs.
