House churches in China, the only refuge for exiled North Koreans
Beijing (AsiaNews) - In the areas near the border that separates China from North Korea, the unofficial Christian churches have become with time the only shelter for those fleeing from the regime in Pyongyang. However, with the rise to power of Kim Jong-un (the third son and heir of the late Kim Jong-il) repression against South Korean missionaries who animate these churches has also increased.
In anticipation of the renewal of the Chinese Communist leadership, moreover, the authorities in Beijing have begun a clamp down on these activities: the country is seeking maximum social stability ahead of Congress in October and is convinced that it may obtain it with violence and repression.
A report published this week in the Dong-A Ilbo (one of the largest South Korea weekly papers) recounts the life of these underground churches near the Tumen River. The faithful who gather to sing gospel, but quietly and without any accompaniment, because they are afraid to be heard from outside. In a church visited by the newspaper there are 11 people, including the pastor.
About the size of 10 square meters, this place of worship is not official and is furnished like a normal room, and there is no religious symbol. The door is locked when the community comes together and only then do they hang a Cross and an image of Christ. Nobody enters and nobody leaves during function.
The majority, not only of those present, but also of the Christian community of the area is from North Korea. Some fled, while others chose to stay despite their visa having expired, once converted to Christianity they decided to risk their fate rather than return to the world's last Stalinist regime.
One of them says: "We can not think of leaving. North Korean agents are roaming this area of China, specifically looking for us." As a result of this they use some precautions: they call each other by nicknames, while the pastor is "mister". For the most part they live together in a small rented house.
Evangelization is sorely tested. A South Korean government source said: "Since the tragedy of refugees from the North entered the public domain, Beijing has stepped up its repression of the missionaries on their territory. In just over a year at least 500 South Korean missionaries have been driven out".
.png)
