Interview: Soon Ok Lee (Spring 2003)

Mrs Lee escaped from prison in North Korea where she witnessed the awful treatment of Christians as well as enduring her own hardships. We will be relating her story in a future issue. Here she gives her thoughts on North Korea today.

Mrs Lee, can you tell us what it was like growing up in North Korea?

I was from a very privileged background, my father was a senior official of the Workers Party. While many people in our town had very little, we had more than enough. At that time there was even less information about the outside world than now. We were taught to be loyal to the leadership above anything else. The school curriculum was based around this teaching.

So are the people really worshipping Kim Jung il and his late father, or are they just obeying orders?

I think if you witnessed them bowing before the massive statutes and pouring out their praises you would realise they are indeed worshipping. They are so indoctrinated that, yes, they actually worship, believing these leaders are their god. From the day they are born they are taught that Kim Jung il and Kim il Sung are the only beings that can save them and protect them from foreign invaders.

Why is North Korea so closed to the outside world?

It is all about control of the people so that the privileged can keep the lifestyle to which they are used to. They are indoctrinated with just what the leadership want them to hear - what a wonderful country North Korea is and how terrible the outside world is. This is why they don’t want Christianity. They know Christians will stand up for what they believe in and are not afraid to speak out the truth.

You managed to escape from the regime, how difficult is it to do that now?

It was difficult then and is more so now. The food situation was not that bad in my time so there were few defectors. Now there are many more attempts and the security is much greater. However, there is a steady trickle of those willing to take the risk. In fact, for many it is the only option as life has become so unbearable. Some cross into China just for food to take back home. Having seen another way of life, even though it may be only a slightly better than theirs, they come home and talk about it. So defectors repatriated by China face severe questioning on return to North Korea. It is interesting that among first questions asked are 'have you met any South Korean missionaries?' and 'did you go to a church?'.

We see that some families from the North and South have been allowed to reunite. Is this an optimistic sign for the future?

Well, sadly no. This is a political event with little direct impact on unification which is what many people are hoping for, in long run the dialogue may help. The ‘Sunshine Policy’ makes the leader look good. He is portrayed as a son of the people, a great world statesman working hard for his country, but in reality nothing is changing.

So what then of the future? Will we see this dictatorship crumble?

A popular revolt from inside is only possible with pressure from outside. By the prayers of Christians this can happen. We also need to put pressure on our own governments to take action. Otherwise, it is impossible for the regime to fall. Kim Jung il has taken the heartbeat from his people and I cannot see an uprising.

He makes appeals to the world on behalf of the starving children but the help that comes goes mainly to strengthen his army. Many aid organisations only supply on condition that they can see the food delivered to the needy. So the supplies and aid workers are taken to a specially selected area to see the distribution of the relief. But when the visitors have gone they go back and retrieve it and give it to privileged people in Pyongyang - party officials, the police and army would be first to get supplies. In other words, by rewarding those who support the regime, it is difficult to see how it could fall from within.

How do Christians in North Korea want us to pray?

I only became a Christian after I had escaped and so don't feel qualified to answer on their behalf. I only met Christians inside prison. But I would imagine they would say that they have already abandoned the 'good life' in order to follow Jesus. They would not expect food or clothes. But they would love to be able to freely worship God, to be able to say ‘Hallelujah!’ out loud. That, I think, would be my prayer for them. Pray that they are released as soon as possible so they can look at the sky, many are permanently in underground prisons now.

Also, please can I appeal to you that every Christian you are in contact with around the world, make freedom of religion in North Korea an issue. Make the situation known, ask them to pray. Keep reminding so that something will happen.