Testimony of North Korean Lee Soon Ok

The following facts seem harsh and difficult, even defamatory. But to defame a situation or person is to take away. I take away nothing. I report facts that have been documented over and over. This particular article is based on a world-famous book by the person who suffered and saw. Please give her your ear.

In North Korea: Lee Soon Ok was a member of the privileged class falsely charged with theft and bribery. She was imprisoned and tortured until finally after 8 years she signed a "confession" to be released. She was not a Christian believer in prison, but saw the Christians being punished even more unjustly than herself. Their witness turned her to Christ after her escape to South Korea.

She details 80's and 90's NK prison life for us, and I am telling her story lest there be some carried away with the idea that things haven't really been "that bad" in North Korea. May I simply list some of the details?

• High wall with electrified-wire fence.
• Prison population included Koreans who voluntarily left Japan to support their homeland.
• Prison population included housewives who stole food so their families would not starve.
• The 25-ounce-per-day food allocation for prisoners was almost totally eaten by guards.
• Prisoners were forced to fight one another for scraps of food.
• Prisoners were used to make garments and shoes for domestic and export use.
• Prisoners formed into work groups which had to do everything together. Even toilet breaks not allowed until group's scheduled time.
• An entire group was punished for the imperfection of one of its members. Punishment: even less food.
• Prisoners learned to work through pain so as to meet quotas, as rations became less and less.
• Continued lack of progress or rule infraction meant solitary confinement in a cell too small for standing or lying down, leading to loss of circulation and severe pain.
• Dormitories: cells 16 x 20 feet. 80-90 prisoners in each.
• Those whose bodies finally gave out were dumped in the mountains like dead animals.
• Men who broke under pressure and cursed a guard were executed publicly.
• Prisoners watching the execution were required to file by the corpse. Those who screamed or acted out in any way were sent to solitary.

Think of those, not who died, but who eventually were released. Ruined lives. Tormenting memories. Who shall help these dear precious souls, many of whom survive to this day? What therapy could possibly heal these wounds? We lift up Christ Jesus to the people of North Korea and we pray God to send His Gospel now. What other hope is there for this beaten down population?

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.